. m . . . . HI ' - & ' Wtf*.a^i ^^T||fg| ^ff v:^ ^^Mft V*v *-^e ' - ? * .^ . *v, ^ r : --v v ** '>^ THE UNIVERSITY mm * " -^ ^xfs > *.-- A /\ x^ ^^ \js^^iiw as^ / sf- m t-t^jr t\ ._ s s! i .* *>^-".^/v /SJ-VT ** ^" A s I^^^^Ki^Sfe ' ^ Return this book on or before the Latest Date stamped below. A charge is made on all overdue books. University of Illinois Library - L161-H41 e LAKE PLACID CONFERENCE. ATTENDANCE SUMMARIES. BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY NINA E. BROWNE, LIBRARIAN OF LIBRARY BUREAU, BOSTON. BY POSITION AND SEX. Men. Women. Total. Trustees and other officers. .5 3 8 Chief librarians 50 39 89 Sub-librarians and assistants 1 5 37 52 Library school, present and former students 10 39 49 Library Bureau, publishers, etc 10 2 12 Others 4 35 39 94 155 249 Deduct those counted in two classes 9 35 44 85 120 205 BY GEOGRAPHICAL SECTIONS. 9 of the 9 No. Atlantic States sent 164 3 " 2 " 8 " 2 " Canada 9 So. Atlantic States 8 Gulf States 8 Lake States 8 Mountain States 5 2 30 3 i BY STATES. A cataloger living in one State and engaged for a year in another is recorded as from the State in which the library represented is located. Library School students residing in New York during their two years' course, are registered from New York State. Total Me 2 Tenn j N. H A Ohio i Vt 6 Ind Mass 10 Ill 8 R. I 6 Mich j Conn . 17 Wis 4. N. Y . . 66 Minn 3 Penn T7 La i N T A Mo 2 iN J Neb I e Col 2 Md T Canada. . . . I D. C I La.. I Total. . . .20* PAPERS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTEENTH GENERAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION HELD AT DENVER AND COLORADO SPRINGS AUGUST 13-16 AND 21 1895 PUBIISHED BY THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 1895 CONTENTS. and) to a) TrTLB. President 1 ! address Libraries in secondary schools Use of periodicals How should a librarian read Helping inquirers Cataloging in the future International bibliography of scientific literature A subject index to science The bibliographia zocilogica A general catalog of American literary periodicals . Improper books: methods employed to discover exclude them Medical books for small public libraries . . Value of local history in a public library A handbook of library economy Need of additional copyright depositories . Best method of changing a subscription library free public library Proceedings 47-9' First Session 47-55 Secretary's report 47 Treasurer's report 48-49 Necrology 49-51 Report of Endowment Fund S 1 Report of Finance Committee 52 Report of Executive Board 52 Report on Public documents 53-54 Memorial to Dr. \V. F. Poole ...... 54 (91) Second Session 55-66 Report on Foreign documents 55-57 Report of CoSperation Committee .... 58-61 Report on Library School and Training Classes 61-63 Report on Index to subject headings ... 63 Scheme of International cooperation in in- dexing scientific periodicals, etc. . . 63-66 Third Session : Roll-call and introduction . . 66 Fourth Session 67-73 Supplement to A. L. A. Catalog 67 General catalog of American periodicals . . 67-69 Binding local newspapers 69-71 Cataloging in the future 71-72 Use of periodicals 73 Fifth Session '. . . 73-77 Address of Aaron Gove 74-75 Libraries in secondary schools 76-77 AUTHOR. PAGS. H. M. Utley a Mist K. L. Sharf . . . .' 5 (76) W. H. Brett 12(73) Dr. G. E. Wire 16 G. T. Little 19 Miss E. I. Wade ; G. W. Cole 21,24(72) 25(87) 2 7 29 (63) 3 (67) Miss T. H. Wett: G. T. Clark 32, 33 J. N. Larned; W. H. Brett 35, 36 Dr. G. E. Wire 37 Mrs. M. A.. Sanders 40(71) A. H. Hopkins 41 S. H. Ranch 43 (78) C. W. A ndreias J. C. Rotvell . Dr. H. H. Field C. Alex. Nelson C. W. McClintock Sixth Session . Letter from Dr. John G. Ames Greeting to A. Ph. Ass'n Seventh Session Balloting for officers Place of next meeting Audit of Treasurer's accounts Question box Election of officers Amendment to constitution Resolution on scheme of International coBp- eration in indexing Report on W. H. Brett's scheme Eighth Session Amendment to the constitution discussed and lost Ninth Session (Colorado Springs) Report on Dr. Poole Memorial Report of Committee on Atlanta Exposition invitations Report of Committee on Resolutions . . . Miscellaneous business Adjournment 91 Social and travel features of the Confer- ence 92-100 Attendance register 100-102 Attendance summaries 103 46 77-79 78-79 79 79-88 79 80-83 83 83 84 84-87 87 87 88-90 88-90 90-91 9' 9 l 9 1 9 1 CONFERENCE OF LIBRARIANS DENVER AND COLORADO SPRINGS, AUGUST 13-16, AND 21, 1895. ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT, H. M. UTLEY, LIBRARIAN OF THE DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY. "\A/E are met for the seventeenth Conference of the American Library Association in the Capital city of the Centennial State. It is a pleasing co-incidence that the Association and the State celebrate the same natal year. Within the memory of some of us the whole region of which this city is now the metropolis was a wilderness. The century was fairly begun when Lieut. Pike led his little band to the sources of the Arkansas and made his futile attempt to scale the lofty peak which now bears his name. Forty years later came the explorations of Fremont, and then fifteen years elapsed before the tide of immi- gration set in. The desert of that day has been converted into prosperous farms. Thriv- ing towns have sprung up in the mountain fastnesses, at the gateway to which sits this Queen City of the plains, displaying all the evidences of wealth, culture, and refinement to be found in the proud cities to the east- ward. This rapid and wonderful transformation has been the work of human hands guided by intelligent brains and an indomitable spirit of pluck and perseverance. We are accustomed to think of this combination as purely Ameri- can. In many of its characteristics it certainly is so. And in no respect more distinctively so than in the cause in which we are most in- terested. Not all the older commonwealths, even on this side of the Atlantic, have yet accepted the theory that the education of the citizen is the concern of the state. But in all this newer portion of our country this doctrine has been incorporated into the fundamental law. The ordinance of 1787 for the govern- ment of the territory northwest of the Ohio river declared that for obvious reasons schools and the means of education shall be forever encouraged. The twenty states now organ- ized within this and the subsequently acquired territory to the westward have all accepted to the fullest extent the doctrine of the ordinance. They have not only carried it into practical effect by general laws providing for free pub- lic schools for children, for universities and institutions of higher learning for the educa- tion of youth, but have also provided for the establishment and maintenance of free public libraries at the general expense and for the common use of all the people. Let us consider very briefly the theory upon which the state assumes to levy tribute upon the property of individuals to provide means for maintaining libraries. By what right does the state tax the man of wealth to put miscel- laneous books into the hands of the man who pays no tax ? So far as primary education is concerned, the basis seems clear. The free state which depends for its very existence upon the intel- ligence of the masses of its citizens must, as a measure of self-defense, provide the facilities by which all may become intelligent. Self- preservation is the supremest natural law. Whatever has a right to exist has a right to do that which is necessary to preserve its exist- ence. The free state which rests on the suffrage of its citizens is bound in duty to itself to see to it that popular education, which is essential to its perpetuity, is universal. Ig- norant men are not competent to take care of themselves and their households, still less to DENVER CONFERENCE. direct the destinies of an empire. The state has, therefore, the right, not only to provide the means of education, but to compel educa- tion. Laws are in force which require certain attendance upon the schools. These rest on the theory that the interest of the state in the education of the individual surpasses that of the individual, and therefore, the state cannot, in justice to itself, treat education purely as a matter of individual concern. It is a notorious fact that the average person does not perceive the importance of self-culti- vation. As the vineyard left to itself is soon choked out with weeds and chapparall, so man if left to himself lapses naturally into his primitive condition. The state cannot leave him to himself, but must interpose to make it certain that he acquires the best degree of information which his natural abilities and the time not necessary to his self-support shall permit. Neither can the state leave the mat- ter of providing facilities and inducements to education to private enterprise, nor to the church, which has been the foremost of all organizations to appreciate its importance. While the state recognizes these agencies and accepts them as satisfactory, so far as they go, it nevertheless fully equips schools of its own, in pursuance of its inherent right and duty, which cannot be relinquished to any other agency. The extent to which the state shall go in the matter of educating its citizens has been the subject of much discussion. There are those who maintain that as the education of the individual proceeds his concern in his own development increases, until finally, if his education proceeds far enough, his concern in his own development surpasses that of the state, and he must thenceforth be left to equip himself entirely at his own expense. If that point is marked by the line between primary and secondary, or between secondary and higher education, there is where the state is in duty bound to stop. ' The extent of the interest of the community as compared with that of the individual is held to grow less and less and finally to disappear as he advances. But the better judgment of our time repu- diates this theory, and holds apparently that there is no limit to the concern of the state in the mental progress of the individual. Ian Maclaren in his touching story of " Domsie" quotes John Knox- as saying: "Ilka scholar is something added to the riches of the com- monwealth." It can probably be demon- strated by the rules of accounts that as a business investment the state is wisely spend- ing money in the education of the people. The cost is more than returned- to it in the material development which an enlightened citizenship ensures. If we contrast our own country, where education is free, with some older countries where it is yet held to be a matter of minor concern, or if we contrast some of the states of this republic with others of corresponding age, we shall see at a glance a wide difference in material resources and prosperity. In one the industrial arts are far advanced, there is intellectual activity, the average citizen is well clothed, well housed, and enjoys many luxuries ; in the other, the methods and life of a past century prevail and poverty and ill-living are the rule. This, if not the highest motive, is an incidental one of considerable importance for doing at the common expense that which is for the com- mon good. But the maintenance of the public library is not based on the communistic idea. A former president of this association, speaking at the Lake George Conference, said : "The socialists arfd communists are all friends of the library, for we give them the books they want, and they hold that it is not only the duty of the government to educate the people, but to furnish them with reading. If the library ever shall have enemies they will be the rich, who do not enjoy being taxed for the benefit of the public, and have libraries of their own. Its defenders will be men of broad views, scholarly people, and behind them, with votes, the middle and poorer classes." While it may be true, in a certain sense, that socialists and communists approve the public library 7 because it appears to give them something which they desire at the public cost, that scheme, on its true ground, is as far removed as possible from any such theory of maintenance by the state. The essential principle of communism is that the members of the community shall hold their property in common for the common use and benefit. This principle flourished in the vil- lage community in which each individual was UTLEY. allotted his certain proportion of the lands owned in common. There are at this day a sporadic few who advocate government own- ership of railroads, and some would even include all the great instrumentalities of com- merce and production. But the rational majority hold that the state of society is best which makes the individual a free and inde- pendent member of the community. His am- bitions and energies are best stimulated by his opportunities to prosper for himself. Civiliza- tion and enlightenment are advanced by the efforts of the master spirits of the race. The only demand which the individual can justly make of the community, with its government as the common agent of all, is that it shall not merely protect him in his rights as a free and independent citizen, but that it shall assure him the opportunities for the fullest exercise of his talents, and shall also, as a measure of common interest, provide the facilities for his very highest mental equipment. In this latter service of the state there is noth- ing whatever of the communistic idea. The public library is not a public charity. There may be some who regard it as in the nature of a free soup-house which caters to the appetite for mental pabulum more or less wholesome. Most communities make some provision for those who are mentally or physic- ally unfitted to care for themselves and who have no estate nor natural relations upon whom they can rely for support. So the state builds and maintains hospitals and alms- houses. This it does simply as a duty of humanity. The instincts of the race and the teachings of an enlightened civilization assure us that a universal brotherhood makes all human creatures kin. As individuals we owe a certain duty to all other individuals, and as organized society we must see to it that the welfare of all is conserved. But there is no duty of kindness or good-will which requires the furnishing of reading matter for the use of the whole community. The public library is not provided for the mere intellectual enjoyment of the citizens. The municipal corporation uses public funds to buy and beautify parks and boulevards. The purpose of these is to promote the public health and comfort, and incidentally to cultivate the aesthetic sense. The state has a direct interest in the health of its citizens. It must rely on their physical strength for defense in time of peril or invasion. Therefore it must have a care that their physical welfare is promoted. Wholesome food, gentle exercise, a cheerful and contented mind, have much to do with soundess of body, and so food-inspection and open-air recreation are justified at the common expense. Art-museums and public concerts are some- times maintained out of the general treasury. The only basis on which this expense can be justified is that their purpose is educational. The welfare of the state depends not alone on the ability of its citizens to merely read and write and solve problems in simple arithmetic. Our nature is many-sided and its full and perfect development must be sought in many directions. The sesthetic is not less real than the practical. The finer qualities of the mind have weighty influence upon national progress and destiny. The state has a right to do for its citizens the things which will best serve its ultimate interests. Universities and higher institutions of learn- ing maintained at public cost now train those who have the means and opportunities to take advantage of their curricula for the most advanced degrees, and through their post- graduate courses offer facilities for spending the good part of a lifetime in the immediate pursuit of knowledge. But in the nature of things the number of those who can give time to these higher courses is limited. The argu- ment has sometimes been employed against high schools and universities that they are maintained at great cost for the use of a com- paratively trifling portion of the community. Statistics are quoted to show that of the whole number of children in the primary grades less than 25 per cent, go through the grammar grades, and that of the small number who enter the high school grades hardly one in ten finishes them, while of these but an infini- tesimal number go on to and through the university. It is not due to lack of capacity wholly, or lack of interest, that so many students fall by the wayside, but mainly to the fact that their services are necessary in the productive chan- nels of business. Yet, in spite of the com- paratively few who are able to take advantage of them, the state considers it a duty to foster, and the community cheerfully bears the burden DENVER CONFERENCE. of maintaining, the higher institutions of learn- ing, because the benefits which they confer are easily recognized. To compensate in some degree those who are not able to pursue in organized institutions studies untimely stopped by 'the necessities of active life, the community provides the free library. This is the people's university, close to the door of every citizen, in which all who have the in- clination and energy to do so may pursue through their whole lives the studies which most interest them. The function of the public library is purely and wholly educational. In this case the term is to be construed in its most comprehensive sense. It does not merely include develop- ment of the intellect ; it involves all the varied human relations. We owe duties to our maker, to ourselves, to those who are de- pendent upon us, to our neighbors, to society, and to the state. In all these delicate and intricate relations we must be taught, and as the world advances, our civilization becomes more complex and our relations more in- volved, the character and quality of our edu- cation becomes the more important. The school and the college have merely laid the foundation. If they have done their full duty they have done little more than set the student on the high road. The sequel rests with himself. The public library puts into his hands books, which contain the combined wisdom and experience of all who have gone before, and wherein are preserved the best thoughts of the best men and women of all time. They who pass judgment upon what shall and what shall not be admitted to the shelves of a public library must bear in mind that, strictly construing the function of the library to be educational, there is yet very wide lati- tude in respect to the things which people may safely and wisely learn. In this aspect of the case, those who are charged with the management and control of libraries have imposed upon them a very grave responsibility. They are not merely the custodians of the books which the public purse has bought ; they are commissioned to guide in the path of highest progress. In this light, the function of the librarian assumes the halo of a holy office. He who discharges it earnestly and faithfully may do much to help forward the enlightenment of his genera- tion. The sum of the whole statement, briefly, is this : There is no limit to the concern of the free state in the education of its citizens. It is as much bound' to provide libraries in which the adult may continue his studies as it is to maintain schools in which as a child he may begin them. The day is not distant when this duty will be universally recognized in this country. In most of the states compulsory education laws prevail. In at least one, every town is required by law to establish and maintain a free public library. In this respect, New Hampshire is only leading the way in which others will shortly follow. Then organized society can truthfully say to the individual, in the language of Professor Hoffman in his "Sphere of the State :" "We have done what we could to develop and strengthen all your powers. We have taught you to the best of our ability to know yourself and to understand your relations to your fel- lows. Now, so long as you conduct yourself as a child of the day and not of the night, all the rights and privileges of the brotherhood are yours. But if you choose to walk in the darkness rather than in the light, if you tram- ple under feet our laws, if you raise your hand against every man, let the curse of your wrong doing fall upon your own head, not on ours." SHARP. LIBRARIES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS. BY KATHARINE L. SHARP, LIBRARIAN AND DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SCIENCE, ARMOUR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CHICAGO. T T is not the purpose of this paper to treat of reading for the young, nor of the relation of public libraries to the public schools, nor will it consider that class of school libraries which are really public city libraries, con- trolled by the board of education, as illus- trated by the Public Library of Denver. These will only be touched as they bear upon the subject in hand. In August, 1890, the Library Journal con- tained an urgent appeal for the consideration of ' ' School Libraries, particularly of the higher, the secondary schools." It has remained for the present program to accept the sugges- tion, and the sources of information are few. The term "secondary schools" is here used to include high schools, academies, and such other institutions as give instruction between the graded schools and the colleges. In 1876, the United States Bureau of Educa- tion devoted twenty pages to "School libra- ries," but dismissed the separate subject of "Libraries of schools for secondary instruc- tion" with less than one page. The Library Jotirnal has no one article devoted to school libraries, although it contains several ac- counts of district libraries in articles on library legislation and library history, and it does not specifically treat of libraries in secondary schools. To clearly understand the question and to realize how little the secondary schools have been considered, it is necessary to briefly review existing conditions in relation to school libraries as a whole, as shown by facts kindly contributed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction in each state. No information has been received from Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Oregon, and Tennessee. The state superintendents report no legislation for school libraries in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Massa- chusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming; in some cases because of financial depression and in others because of a strong movement for public libraries. Twenty-two of the states report more or less favorably with variations as to authority, money, and books, as shown in the following summary : AUTHORITY. CALIFORNIA. The state Board of Education shall recommend a list of books for district school libraries. The power of the state board is simply recommendatory, and only such books as have been adopted by the county or city boards of education can be bought. The board of trustees and city board of edu- cation must expend the library fund for school apparatus and books. COLORADO. The qualified electors of any district of the third class may order a sufficient levy on all the taxable property of the district to procure libraries for the schools. CONNECTICUT. The treasurer of the state, upon the order of the secretary of the state Board of Education shall pay money to every school district, and to every town maintaining a high school which shall raise an equal amount for the same purpose, to establish and main- tain a school library within such district. The joint board of selectmen and school visitors in each town shall have power to appropriate money for the purchase of books to be used in the public schools of the town. FLORIDA. The trustees of a district may spend money for libraries if they see fit. ILLINOIS. Every school district board is authorized to purchase a library or to increase its library. INDIANA. Township libraries are provided for by law, but they are gradually dying out. Their place is being taken by the Young Peo- ple's Reading Circle, and three fourths of the districts in the state now have 5 to 250 books suitable for young people. The board of the Circle selects the books, and in many places the township trustees buy the books, and the county commissioners allow their bills, so that practically the state enjoys the advantages of the district library law. IOWA. Electprs may vote a tax for procuring district libraries. DENVER CONFERENCE. KANSAS. The school districts of the state may at the annual meeting in each year vote a tax upon all the taxable property of the district, and the money so collected shall be used under the direction of the board of directors for buy- ing a school district library and for no other purpose. KENTUCKY. Each school district may have a library. The trustees must select, buy, and care for district libraries. MARYLAND. The law states that district school libraries ought to be established in each school house district under the care of the teacher as librarian. Books must be selected by the board of district school trustees. MICHIGAN. Township and district libraries are authorized. Books shall be selected by district officers. MINNESOTA. The superintendent of public instruction and the presidents of the normal schools of the state are directed to prepare a list of books suitable for school libraries. Any school district which shall have bought books selected from this list, and shall have properly cared for them, shall receive financial aid from the state. MISSOURI. The school board has a right to appropriate money for school libraries. MONTANA. A library fund is created and the board of school trustees must expend the library fund for books for a school library. The superintendent of public instruction shall prepare and furnish to school officers, through the county superintendents, lists of publica- tions approved by him as suitable for school libraries. NEBRASKA. It is within the authority of a school district meeting, or a board of education, to appropriate a certain fund for library pur- poses. NEW JERSEY. The treasurer of the school fund, upon the order of the state superintendent of education, is authorized to pay to each pub- lic school money to establish and to maintain a school library provided the school shall have raised an equal amount for the same purpose. The selection of books shall be approved by the school trustees of each district. NEW YORK. Each city and school district in the state is authorized to raise moneys by tax for starting or extending or caring for the school library. The state superintendent ap- portions and makes rules for using school library money. Books must be approved by the state superintendent of public instruction. NORTH DAKOTA. The state superintendent shall prepare and furnish to school officers, through the county superintendents, lists of publications approved by him as suitable for district libraries. OHIO. In any district the board of education may appropriate money from the contingent fund for the purchase of such books, other than school books, as it may deem suitable for the use and improvement of the scholars and teachers of the district. PENNSYLVANIA. The board of school direct- ors in each common school district is author- ized to establish and maintain a library. The board may levy a tax for the support of the library. (This law passed both Houses in May 1895. When reported in June the governor had not signed it, but there was no opposition expected.) RHODE ISLAND. The state law has always authorized the establishment of school libraries, but no state aid was given until about twelve years ago, when a small appropriation was made for school apparatus and books of refer- ence. VIRGINIA. The constitution of the state authorizes the state board of education to pro- vide for furnishing school houses with such libraries as may be necessary. No action has been taken in regard to the matter, however, as the board has had no money for the purpose. Under the constitution the state board of edu- cation is to select a list of books for use in the public schools of the state, from which list county and city boards select books for their school?. WISCONSIN. The treasurer of each town shall annually withhold money received from the school fund income, to be used in the pur- chase of school libraries. The state superin- tendent of public instruction shall annually or biennially prepare a list of approved books for school libraries. Each year the town clerk, with the county superintendent of schools, shall spend all money withheld by the town treasurer in the purchase of books selected from the lists prepared by the state superin- tendent, and shall distribute the books among the several school districts in proportion to the money withheld from each. CALIFORNIA. Except in cities not divided into school districts the library fund is ten per cent, of the state school fund annually appor- tioned to the district, unless ten per cent, exceed fifty dollars, in which case it is fifty dollars. In cities not divided into school dis- tricts the library fund is fifty dollars annually for every one thousand children from five to seventeen years of age. COLORADO. The library fund is a sufficient levy on all taxable property in the district. CONNECTICUT. The appropriation is ten dollars to establish a library and five dollars annually to maintain it. If the number of pupils in any school exceeds one hundred, the treasurer shall pay five dollars annually for every one hundred or fraction of one hundred pupils over the first one hundred. FLORIDA. The library fund may be any part SHARP. of a three-mills special tax, prescribed by the trustees of the district. ILLINOIS. Books are paid for out of the unexpended balance belonging to the district when ordinary expenses have been paid. IOWA. The library fund is a portion of the school tax decided by vote. The school tax does not exceed ten mills on the dollar in any one year on the taxable property of the district township. KANSAS. The library fund is derived from a tax not to exceed two mills on the dollar, pro- vided that in districts where the taxable pro- perty is more than $20,000 and not more than $30,000, there shall not be levied more than one and one-half mills on the dollar, and when the taxable property is more than $30,000 and not more than $50,000, there shall not be levied more than one mill on the dollar, and in all cases where the taxable property of the district shall exceed $50,000 there shall not be levied more than one-half mill on the dollar. KENTUCKY. No tax is provided for the dis- trict libraries, though a small tax is levied to maintain the teachers' libraries. MARYLAND. Ten dollars annually is ordered to be paid by the board of county school com- missioners out of the state school fund to any school house district as long as the people of the district raise the same amount annually. MICHIGAN. Fines for any breach of penal laws of the state and for penalities in criminal proceedings, and all equivalents for exemptions from military duty shall be apportioned by the county treasurer among- the several townships in the county according to the number of children between five and twenty years of age in the townships. This money shall be used for the support of township and district libra- ries and for no other purpose. MINNESOTA. The superintendent of public instruction shall order the state auditor to pay to any school district one-half the amount which it has spent for its school library under the provisions of the law : provided that no district shall receive more than twenty dollars upon the first statement nor more than ten dollars upon any subsequent st itement. The sum of $10,000 is annually appropriated. MISSOURI. It is recommended that on Library Day, the Friday succeeding Thanks- giving, an earnest effort be made in each school district to raise at least a small library fund by entertainment, subscription, or otherwise. The day has not been appointed by law ; so many schools observe it at more convenient times and some do not observe it at all, but it is reported as being, on the whole, satisfactory. MONTANA. Except in cities having a popu- lation of two thousand or more, the library fund shall be not less than five per cent, nor more than ten per cent, of the county school fuud annually apportioned in the district ; provided that, .should such ten per cent, exceed fifty dollars, fifty dollars only shall be appor- tioned to the -district. In cities having a population of two thousand or more the library fund shall be not more than fifty dollars for every five hundred children or fraction thereof of three hundred or more between six and twenty-one years of age, annually taken from the general school fund of the county appor- tioned to such district. NEW JERSEY. The library fund is ' twenty dollars out of the income of the school fund to establish a library and ten dollars annually to maintain a library, provided the school raises an equal amount. This money shall be used for books and apparatus. NEW YORK. $55,ooo annually is appro- priated for school library books. No portion of the school library money shall be expended except for books approved by the state superintendent of public instruction. The locality must raise an equal amount. NORTH DAKOTA. The law allows any district school board to spend fifty dollars for a district library. With the consent of a majority of the voters of a school district, the district school board may buy a library of the value of more than fifty dollars, but not to exceed five hun- dred dollars. OHIO. Appropriations for school libraries shall not exceed, in any one year, twelve hun- dred dollars in city districts containing cities of the first grade of the first class, three hundred dollars in other city districts of the first class, one hundred and fifty dollars in city districts, of the second class, and seventy-five dollars in other districts. One half of this amount may be spent for apparatus. For the purpose of increasing and main- taining the school libraries of city districts the board of education may levy annually a tax of one tenth of one mill on the dollar valuation of taxable property in the district. PENNSYLVANIA. The board may levy a tax not to exceed one mill in any one year on the valuation of the property assessed for school purposes in the district. RHODE ISLAND. Only twenty dollars annual- ly is allowed to each district. The law fixes no limit to the amount a district may spend for libraries, but the state superintendent reports that no district has ever spent much more than one hundred dollars, and that only in one or two cases. Before state aid is given, vouchers must be presented to the commis- sioner of public schools, showing what the district or town has spent as the basis of its claim for state aid. WISCONSIN. The treasurer of each town shall withhold annually from the money received from the school fund income for the several school districts whose school houses are located in the town of which he is the treasurer, an amount equal to ten cents for each person DENVER CONFERENCE. of school age living in such district for the purchase of books. SELECTION OF BOOKS AND PRINTED LISTS. CALIFORNIA. The law indicates what books and apparatus may be bought with the library fund and states distinctly that school supplies, such as chalk, pencils, ink, etc., cannot be purchased with the library fund. The books selected are of a general nature, as well as for supplementary reading. A classified priced list was published in 1892. It includes books suit- able for high schools. CONNECTICUT. The selection must consist of books of reference and other books to be used in connection with school work. The published list is classified and priced, including about one hundred books for the home reading of children between eight and fifteen years of age in a country school. Books for the younger children are starred and the list of U. S. historical fiction indicates the period covered by each book. A course of supplemen- tary reading for public schools follows. The fact that Miss Hewins, of Hartford, was on the committee which prepared the list vouches for its excellence. IOWA. There is a short general list arranged under publishers. KANSAS. The district board in the purchase of books is confined to works of history, biography, science, and travels. MARYLAND. The state board of education is authorized to publish a list, from which all sectarian and partisan books shall be excluded. A classified priced list of general books adapted to the different grades was published in 1893. MICHIGAN. The law specifies a working library selected first of all to assist pupils in a proper study of geography, history, and litera- ture. A classified priced list has been published, in groups costing five, ten, thirty-five, and fifty dollars all for supplementary reading. MINNESOTA. The list must include books of reference, history, biography, literature, political economy, agriculture, travel, and natural science. A classified priced list with full descriptive notes has been published. This includes books for high schools. MISSOURI. The state superintendent pub- lishes a list of books in his annual report. The list is arranged in groups adapted to different grades. MONTANA. The lists must include books for supplementary work and all books must be selected from the lists approved by the superin- tendent of public instruction. NEW YORK. School libraries must consist of reference books for use in the school room, suitable supplementary reading books for children, or books relating to branches of study being pursued in the schools, and pedagogic books as aids to teachers. In 1891, Regents' Bulletin No. 6 contained a classified list of books suitable for graded and high schools and academies, with full descriptive notes. The list was prepared by Miss Mary S. Cutler, Vice-director of the New York State Library School. NORTH DAKOTA. The library must include books for general reading as well as for school work. It must exclude all books uusuited to the cultivation of good character and good morals and manners, and no sectarian pub- lications devoted to discussion of sectarian differences and creeds shall be admitted to the library. WISCONSIN. School libraries must consist of books for general reading as well as for school work. The state publishes a classified list ar- ranged according to grades, with very full descriptive notes. There is a supplementary list for high schools. The latest list was issued July 1894, but a new edition is nearly ready. LOCATION. CALIFORNIA. Libraries must be kept, when practicable, in the school houses. MARYLAND. L/ibraries shall be kept in the school building during the school term. MONTANA. Libraries must be kept, when practicable, in the school houses. NEW YORK. The school library shall be kept in the school building at all times. PENNSYLVANIA. The board may set aside the whole or any part of any school house for the accommodation of the library, or may erect a new building. WISCONSIN. During the periods that the school is in session, the library shall be placed in the school house. Legislation on this point became necessary because of the great loss of books when allowed to be stored in different places. USE. CALIFORNIA. The library is free to all pupils of a suitable age belonging to the school. Any resident of the district may have the privileges of the library by paying a fee. NEW YORK. The school library shall not be used as a circulating library except that so far as the rules fixed by the state superintendent shall allow, teachers and school officers or pupils may borrow for a limited time any book not needed for reference in the school room. The public shall not be entitled to use any library in the custody of the school authori- ties. NORTH DAKOTA. The school library is for the use of the inhabitants of the school district. Books are loaned only to residents of the dis- trict. WISCONSIN. Books may be loaned to teach- ers, pupils, or other residents of the district. SHARP. From this summary we find mandatory, per- missive, and suggestive legislation ; we find in all cases meagre appropriations ; we find libraries limited to reference books and libra- ries for general reading ; we find libraries lim- ited to the schools, and libraries free to all residents in the district ; we find the older states discouraging district libraries, and de- veloping free public libraries, while the newer states are establishing district libraries as fore- runners of something better. The original district library was a collection of books for the people living in a certain school district, and might be kept anywhere in the district. Defects in legislation and ad- ministration have caused this type of library to fail of its highest usefulness. The modern district library seems to be primarily for the pupils and is kept in the school house. Out of twenty-two states which reported legislation for school libraries, only one mentioned high school libraries, two or three implied them, and the general inference is that the others limit their financial aid to the grades, although four states printed lists of books suitable for high schools. The reports were concerned with state aid only, and do not by any means furnish an idea of the extent of high school libraries. Many of these libraries depend upon municipal aid either by provision of the city charter or by the authority vested in the board of education, but in the smaller places they depend to a great extent upon the individual efforts of the principal. It has always been granted that college and university libraries were necessary, and since 1835 there has been a growing sentiment in favor of common school libraries, but through intent or oversight four important years of school life have not been provided for. For the past few years, the American Library Association has earnestly advocated state aid to public libraries and, since its formation in 1876, it has as earnestly urged the co-operation of public libraries and public schools. Is it the opinion of the members of this conference that the public library can furnish all the books needed in the high schools? In 1890, the editor of the Library Journal said, "Let the school librarians raise their voices, let them detail their difficulties and wants. Then, if the experience of the other 2 librarians suggests to them any remedies or any good advice, they will not be backward in offering it." The school librarians are raising their voices and they say that state legislation is necessary in order to have con- certed action, and to force into activity those who neglect their opportunities. When the libraries fluctuate with the rise and fall of suc- cessive administrations, their usefulness is seriously threatened. If legislation is necessary for common school libraries, still more is it necessary for those of secondary schools, as their studies call for more extensive supplementary reading, and their pupils should prepare themselves for an intelligent use of college libraries, or for indi- vidual reading through life. In the course of educational evolution, high- school libraries will be forced by the very students who have profited by the advantages of the common school libraries. In 1876 the United States Bureau of Education while re- porting favorably on common school libraries stated that most of the collections belonging to the secondary schools were of a miscel- laneous character, consisting of gifts of indi- viduals. There has been a great improvement since then, and it is now quite common for high schools in cities to be furnished with reference books, and in many cases with books for supplementary reading also, with carefully planned reading courses, but the smaller places need encouragement and in some cases force. It is argued that the public library must be induced to furnish books to the schools and that the schools should not duplicate. There is opportunity for each to work. Each high school needs reference books as equipment, and it needs enough copies of books assigned for supplementary reading to supply the pupils. It would be a serious matter for a public library in a large city to furnish sup- plementary reading for all of the high schools. It would be equally serious in a small town to duplicate extensively, on account of lack of funds. Economy through co-operation can be re- alized if the public library will make the high school a sub-station, and send there a case of interesting books for general reading. If the high school buys books for general reading, aside from the expense, there is the 10 DENVER CONFERENCE. danger that the pupils will associate the books with the school only, and so lose the influence of a library after graduation. As the school can exercise a more steady and a more personal influence over the pupil, so it makes the best reading center, and the best delivery station for the public library, but it should train the pupils to use the public library and not alienate them from it. Teachers say that they have no time to attend to a school library because they are already overworked. Unless the teachers take an interest in the library and enlist the intelligent help of their students, all legislation is use- less. More depends upon the spirit of the teacher than upon the list of books. Instruc- tion in the use of libraries and in the simplest methods of administration should be given in normal schools. Then the teacher could easily instruct some interested pupil to work under his direction and need only supervise. If the library exceeds one thousand volumes it will pay the board of education to secure some one of experience to properly arrange it, and instruct some teacher how to continue it. If the board cannot afford this, or if the library consists of only a few hundred volumes, it would be an evidence of the true missionary spirit for the public librarian of the town to give a few suggestions for arranging the books neatly and in order. No teacher need say that he has not time for the library work when he has before him constantly such an efficient staff as he can find among his older pupils and every teacher knows how much interest is added to a piece of work on which the pupil has been personally engaged. Superintendents complain that school libra- ries are poorly supplied, poorly arranged and mismanaged. Teachers complain that they do not know how to manage the libraries nor how to make them available to the students when the resources are few. More or less formal administration lends dignity to the library and insures its protection. The first element of a successful school library is to grant free access to the shelves. One of the strongest arguments for the exist- ence of a school library is that the books are at hand when wanted, and often the impulse to read has gone by the time the book is drought from a distance. A student who does not at first care for books will be unconsciously influenced by their presence, and if allowed to browse among them, will surely find some- thing to interest him and will absorb many other things by the way. Access to the shelves will save time for the overworked teacher, and will serve as a pro- tection against loss by theft by inculcating a sense of ownership and of pride. The most valuable result of open shelves for young peo- ple is that it develops a desire to own books, at first perhaps as furniture, but really for their companionship. If access to the shelves is allowed, it is ab- solutely necessary to classify the books by subject, even though there be only two hundred volumes, but the school library should choose a system which has a short and simple nota- tion. Either of the first four classifications of the Cutter Expansive system or the abridged Dewey Decimal system is appropriate for a small library and is capable of extension as the library grows. Besides convenience of arrangement in bringing together all books on the same subject it teaches the students the scope and relation of different subjects. The small library cannot afford Poole's In- dex to Current Periodical Literature, nor the A. L. A. Index to General Literature, nor can it afford the works indexed by them. But the small library has many works of collected essays and scattering volumes of periodicals which contain much valuable material if ac- cessible, but which is utterly useless unless indexed. The school library, then, should index under subject, all articles in these odd volumes to supplement the books on those subjects. Often these articles will be the only material which a small library has on a sub- ject. If a city high school supports a reading-room and saves its periodicals it might profitably buy the Annual Literary Index to periodicals and essays, using each month the periodical index in the Review of Reviews. The extensive reference work desirable in secondary schools, makes it necessary for the teacher to secure the help of the best students. He should teach them to help themselves by first working with them and then asking them to help others. He should give talks to groups of the students about the reference- books. He should teach them that reference- books include more than dictionaries, ency- SHARP. n clopaedias and atlases. He should give them questions to look up to test their familiarity with the books. He should have the students take turns in looking up references on debate questions, or on subjects under discussion in class, and he should save all of these refer- ences for future use. The school librarian has an advantage over the public librarian, as he knows what subjects are to be taken up in the various classes, and when they will come, so that he can anticipate the demand and have his lists ready. The subjects recur each year and the lists need ad- ditions only for the past year to be ready for use again. He can teach history by having a bulletin board for anniversaries, and on this post refer- ences to the event celebrated. In the same way he can keep the students interested in current events by posting clippings from the daily papers. He can interest them in art by attaching to the pictures or casts in the room references to the artists or their work, and it is within the means of most school libraries to have a frame in which pictures may be fre- quently changed, and so exhibit a number of reproductions of famous works of art. He can interest them in music by posting references about the selections given at con- certs and musicales in the town. He should in all cases induce them to supplement the references in the school library with informa- tion found elsewhere, in order to cultivate the habit of exhausting a subject and of using other libraries. He should anticipate the seasons and keep in touch with school sports so that the boy who loves nature will find a list of out-of-door books ready for him and the aspirant for college honors will find practical treatises on foot-ball. He should remember all holidays especially if some superstition or curious cus- tom is associated with their celebration, in order to satisfy the annual demand for the Christmas poem and to tell the young girls how to play Hallowe'en pranks. In short he should have a sincere conviction of the importance of the library in the school and should keep in touch with every element of the student body, showing them the re- sources of a small collection of books well used, teaching them to appreciate good edi- tions, good binding, and good paper, and to treat books as their friends. The students will acquire a love for books, they will do better and broader school work, they will gain a knowledge of library methods which may benefit their town libraries later, and they will carry away a desire to own books. These suggestions are by no means new to librarians, as they are carried out in college and public libraries throughout the land, but they are offered to the librarian in a secondary school who is supposed to be a teacher with no knowledge of library work. They are offered because of a firm conviction that most high school libraries, even though quite well equipped fall short of their usefulness be- cause mismanaged or because not managed at all ; and they are offered further because of the many inquiries from school librarians as to how much of so-called library science is necessary for the simple and orderly adminis- tration of a high school library. Mr. Horace E. Scudder, the scholar, and friend of young people, writes in the Atlantic Monthly for November, 1893 : " Such a move- ment as this (school libraries) should be fol- lowed with the closest attention that it may not, as in earlier instances, be started with en- thusiasm and then gradually lose its impetus. We do not think this will be the history, be- cause the movement has a deeper relation than previous ones to the actual condition of edu- cational methods." 12 DENVER CONFERENCE. USE OF PERIODICALS. BY WILLIAM H. BRETT, LIBRARIAN, CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY. TV/T ARGARET Deland, in the North Ameri- can Review, says that journalism and literature stand to each other very much in the relation of the big brother and the little boy. Journalism, strong, eager, careless, goes strid- ing along ; by his side the little brother, litera- ture, almost dragged along by the rough, good- natured handclasp of the big brother, goes stumbling and panting, but striving to keep up. The big brother sets the tasks for the little one and sometimes chucks him under the chin with good-natured praise, sometimes blames him with careless severity. She is speaking of journalism as a patronizing critic of literature and finds in this relation that which she makes the title of her article, "A Menace to Literature." Whatever opinions we may hold as to the correctness of this view we may find more force in the comparison made, if applied merely to the volume of the production of periodicals and newspapers, and to the proportion which they furnish of the reading of our people. During the period from 1840 to 1894 the population of the United States has increased from 17,000,000 to 69,000,000. The estimated value of the books produced in 1840 was $5,500,000 ; in 1894 it may fairly be placed at not less than $70, 000,000. The number of new books issued for 1857, the first year for which I have found any exact figures, was 879. The number in 1893 was 5,134. The number of newspapers issued in the United States in 1840 was 1,258, with an aggregate circulation of 90,361,000 copies in that year. In 1894 it was I 937. with an aggregate circulation of 3,464,- 000,000 copies. In other words, during a period of little more than half a century the population of the United States has increased more than four- fold. During the same period, the number of newspapers issued in the country increased fifteenfold, and the total annual issue more than thirtyfold. The increased issue of maga- zines has also been very great. This is more marked in the size of the editions issued than in the increased number of publications, al- though this has been considerable. Several of our magazines issue more than 100,000 copies monthly, and one at least has passed the quarter-million mark. This wonderful increase has been coincident in time with the establishment and extension of our free-school system, which, if it has not proven to be a remedy for and safeguard against all moral and social evils, as was pre- dicted and hoped for by its earlier advocates, has at least accomplished the great work of preventing the increase of illiteracy, and keeping the percentage of illiterates at about the same point during these fifty or more years. This work has been done in spite of the difficulty consequent upon a great volume of immigration, bringing with it a larger pro- portion of illiteracy than that among our native population ; and in spite also of the practical difficulty of establishing schools in the sparsely settled mountain regions of the south, and of keeping the means of education within reach of the enterprising pioneers, who have during the same period rapidly pushed our frontier westward until it has disappeared with the setting sun in the Pacific Ocean. This great work thus going on has multiplied an army of readers and has created the demand, which has been met by the wonderful develop- ment of newspaper and magazine publishing. The volume of reading furnished by the newspapers and magazines may be better un- derstood by a comparison with some well- known books. For instance, the number of words in Drummond's "Ascent of Man " is about 104,828 ; in the first volume of Motley's "Dutch Republic" 173,700; in George Mac- Donald's "Seaboard Parish" 194,064; in " Henry Esmond" 196,650 ; in "BenHur" 223,600; and in the two volumes of " Mar- cella" 158,100. BRETT. The Chicago Tribune for Sunday, July 28, 1895, contained, exclusive of advertisements, about 200,000 words ; for Monday, July 29, about 75,000 words. The Century Magazine for August 96,500 words; Harper's Monthly for August 119,000 ; and Scribner's for the same month 68,000. Thus a single issue of the Century Magazine exceeds in volume Drummond's "Ascent of Man," the other magazines falling a little short of it. Two issues of the average size of the magazines, or a single copy of the Sunday paper, or the daily issues for three week-days, will be about equivalent in contents to the average of the important works mentioned. In making such a comparison I am well aware that no one person probably ever read a daily paper through, and that we only select the comparatively few things in the whole which interest us ; but, after making all allow- ances, the figures are, I think, interesting as indicating the immense quantity of newspapers and periodicals which are produced every year, which find a market and receive atten- tion. The figures are interesting also as sug- gesting to what an extent such a volume of reading-matter, much of it only of current in- terest, and soon passing out of sight and out of existence, may displace and prevent the reading of books. Our special interest, how- ever, is in magazines and newspapers as we have them in our libraries. It seems clear that the newspapers and the magazines have a definite place and an important function in our libraries. Our principal concern is with the present. We need to know what is going on now. In our special vocation we must have not only the body of knowledge, which has been ap- proved by experience and gathered into books, but we must also have the latest in- formation and thought upon the subject, which we can find only in the journal. Moreover our interest in life extends far beyond our own immediate work, and we would know something of the whole range of human ac- tivity. One may be interested in electricity and would follow its progress. He can only know of the latest discoveries from the journals, but he cannot read these intelligently unless he already has such knowledge of the whole sub- ject as can only be acquired from some of the standard treatises, and so we need both books and journals. In physics we may have learned some time since from the journals of a new classification, which is given only in the latest text-books, and renders all of the older ones obsolete. We will find the latest word on theology in the addresses of Prof. Fairbairn and other theologians at the summer school of theology held at Adelbert college last month and published in our daily papers, but we will neither understand them nor care for them unless we are well read in theology. We may have for humanity's sake an inter- est in the affairs of Armenia. We can gather from the papers what is happening there from week to week, and we will probably find the same things digested and written up more carefully a month or two later in the maga- zines. But if we wish to understand the Armenian question we must read not only the history of Armenia but that of Turkey and Russia, and indeed of all Europe. We must know the relations of the Asiatic intruders to civilized and semi-civilized Europe, the vari- ous interests of the Turk, the Muscovite and the western powers in the question. If we were interested a few years ago in the expulsion of the Jews from Russia, we followed the course of events in the daily papers, then in the magazines and finally in the books upon the subject ; but to understand and judge it fairly we need a fuller knowledge of the con- ditions in Russia than we can obtain from any of these sources and so for any subject on which we wish to be well informed, we need to supplement the book with the magazine and paper. Accepting the reading-room with its file of newspapers and magazines and the magazines in our circulating departments as a part of our library equipment, it is worth our while to study them that we may select them wisely and use them effectively. To do this, we must know them as we do our books. In selecting books on any controverted sub- jects we hardly expect to find in most instances a mere statement of facts, but also an advo- cacy of particular views, and in order to esti- mate the value of the book we must know the author's standpoint and the weight of authority with which he speaks. This is true in religion, science, and sociology, and hardly less true in history. For instance, we do not expect to find a calm and judicial statement of facts in Horace DENVER CONFERENCE. Greeley's history of the civil war, written as it was during the heat of the conflict. What is thus apparent in current history is almost equally true in that which deals with events long past, and in which we might expect that the accounts were all in and the records closed. Take as an illustration Grecian history. We may recognize in Mitford's "Greece" a plea for monarchy and a denunciation of de- mocracy, prompted by the horrors of the French revolution with which the author was contemporary. On the other hand Grote's history is an earnest advocacy of democratic institutions and intended definitely as a reply to Mitford. In selecting and in recommend- ing these books, we should know this. Now what is true of books is equally true of papers and magazines. Each one of any importance has a character and a standpoint definitely its own. This is, of course, most apparent in its treatment of political questions. Knowing the paper, one could predict almost to a certainty what it will say in regard to any question which may arise involving party poli- tics. This is equally true in regard to other questions, but not always so apparent, as the lines of division of opinion are not so definitely drawn. For instance, in one well-known journal we may always expect to find the most strictly scientific and unsympathetic treatment of all social questions, as those involving the rela- tions of capital and labor. In another we may expect the broadest humanity and the most sympathetic treatment of the same questions. Instances of this may be found in the articles on the London dock strikes a few years ago and on the later strikes in this country. From its treatment of such notable cases we 'may discern the attitude of any important journal upon similar questions, as they arise. The character of a paper or periodical shows itself in other ways. One paper has note- worthy editorials, is especially careful and full in its financial news, pays particular attention to book-reviews, avoids news which is simply sensational, is clean and is essentially a home paper. Another is more enterprising, looks out for that which is catchy and sensational, undertakes investigations and reforms, and in this way has accomplished some good and gained some credit. Another paper, one of the most ably-edited and best for the news in the country, admirable in many respects, and of great value for its book-reviews, has never- theless a reputation for attacking fiercely and following up with the most unrelenting per- sistence all men and measures against which it arrays itself. It is also convenient to know which papers pay attention to particular topics. For exam- ple, a paper ranking among the most import- ant in many respects is especially sought after in army circles, as giving the army and navy news more fully than any other. Another gives more than usual space to music and art, and another to the interests of insurance. One of the most important things to the library is to know which papers give the fullest and most reliable book-reviews. I have thus far spoken of papers of a general scope. But even among those devoted to special subjects, while the scope of the journal is usually indi- cated by the title, it is hardly less important to know the standpoint, for instance, in the case on papers on economics, to know the views advocated as to money or the tariff question, in order to use them intelligently. Each important magazine has its own scope and character quite as definitely as have the papers. One keeps on the even tenor of its way devoted to literature, but paying atten- tion also to art and the other interests of life, never by any chance publishing anything which could be offensive to a cultivated taste, and has during its career of nearly forty years in- troduced to its readers more prominent Amer- ican writers than any other magazine. Another, while general in its scope, pays special atten- tion to social subjects from a humanitarian standpoint, and treats religious subjects from the standpoint of liberal orthodoxy. Another furnishes a forum for the dispas- sionate treatment of social or moral questions. Another still might be characterized as the organ of the discontented, the amphitheater in which the advocates of the oppressed and in- jured may fight their battles. Possibly by its very vehemence and exaggeration it may fix attention upon existing evils and bring about reforms. The list might be extended, but this suffices to show the sort of knowledge in regard to periodicals which is of value to us in making recommendations to readers and in searching for information. A brief indication of the scope of a large number of magazines is given in the introduc- BRETT. tion to the Review of Reviews annual index, and criticisms and discussions may be found in various magazine articles. Any plan of co-operation which would bring together and render available a consensus of opinion as to the value of the various important mag- azines and papers in the library would be helpful. Each library will, of course, bind its own local papers and preserve them as local his- tory. An index of important local events kept to date is a matter of small expense and great convenience in searching for such matters in after years, when the dates have been for- gotten. The expense of binding and storing the large papers, other than local, prevents most libraries from preserving many of them, valuable as some of the matter contained would be for future reference. This has also rendered any attempt at co-operation in indexing them impractical and deprives bibliographical refer- ences to book-reviews contained in papers of much of their value. Much that is of perma- nent interest in such papers as are not bound may be preserved in scrap-books each devoted to a special subject, as biography, music, educa- tion, libraries, Christmas and other holidays ; preferably a scrap-book for each important holiday. A series of such scrap-books, grow- ing from year to year, forms a useful addition to many of our libraries. An index adds to the convenience of using them, but closely specialized, as a single scrap-book for cut- tings in regard to Christmas, it is not neces- sary. The current and recent numbers of the mag- azines fill an important place in our libraries, which lies between the field of the newspaper and the book. I have already defined what I belive to be their most notable function ; that is, to bring important subjects close to date, giving us the latest information and thought upon them and yet according them a more thorough and satisfactory treatment than they usually receive in the newspapers. After the volumes are completed, bound, and added to the series on the shelf, and moreover after the supplemental volume of Poole's Index, which contains them, is issued, they at once form a part of the most important collection of books in the library. Too high an estimate can hardly be placed on the index by Dr. Poole and the supplemental volumes by Mr. Fletcher. They are the mas- ter-keys for unlocking vast treasures of in- formation, and have rendered of great value those collections which were before nearly valueless for reference. The only limit to their usefulness is that they do not give us the information as close to date as it is convenient to have it. The greatest need now is an index which will do for recent magazines what the Poole and Fletcher indexes do for those a little older. The Review of Reviews, as we all know, furnishes an index to current periodicals, which is of value, but is not full enough to be satisfactory. The August number indexes 112 periodicals in 288 entries ; or, less than three entries to each periodical. Some other work of the same sort has been done, but, so far as I know, it is even less complete than the Review of Reviews. A serious drawback, to the usefulness of all such indexes published at short intervals, is their rapid multiplication and the consequent necessity of looking in an increasing number of places for the desired information. Some plan which would furnish libraries with an index of current magazines in the form of printed cards, similar to the book-cards pub- lished by the Library Bureau, seems to be a desirable thing. The preparation of such an index involves so much expense as to place it beyond the reach of any except the wealth- iest libraries. I believe, however, that by the co-operation of a sufficient number of libraries the expense might be reduced to a sum which would render it practicable. Without some such help, the main reliance for the use of re- cent periodicals must still be upon the good memory and zealous research of our library assistants. It often happens that the title of an article tells little or nothing of its real subject. An article published in an English review during the war ostensibly on newspaper-reading is really a passionate defense of the rights of the southern states to the independence for which they were fighting, and a fierce attack on the national government for its attempt to coerce them. Such instances, in which the title of an article either fails to give any information as to its contents or conveys an entirely mistaken idea, are of frequent occurrence. In such cases a brief note on the card giving i6 DENVER CONFERENCE. correctly the subject and scope would be of great value and even when, as is often the case, the title gives clearly the subject of the article, some additional information as to its scope and point of view of the writer would aid the investigator. I have not touched upon the vexed question of the advantages or disadvantages of news- paper-reading, about which so much is being written. My only purpose has been a brief consideration of newspapers and magazines as we have them in our libraries, an attempt to define their place, and to discuss their uses and relations to the books. The periodical cannot, nor should it, occupy so large a place in the library as it does in the greater world of readers and buyers of reading- matter. It nevertheless has an important place and a definite use, and it is only by a clear understanding of this, it is only by keep- ing this minor division of our library in its proper proportion and relation to the major one, the books, and by developing most thoroughly the resources of both, that we can make our libraries most effective. We should, on the one hand, give to our readers that latest in- formation which can only be had from the periodicals, and on the other that broader grasp of the subject which can only come from an acquaintance with the best books. Only by this clear understanding of the material at our command, only by thus developing to the fullest the resources, can we make our libraries most useful, only thus can we round out their work to completeness. HOW SHOULD A LIBRARIAN READ? BY DR. GEORGE E. WIRE, 'SUPT. MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY, CHICAGO. E have been engaged for several years past in telling how other people should read, what they should read, what we would like to have them read, what we try to make them read, what they do read, and various other items of vicarious reading. Is it not about time we investigated ourselves and had an experience meeting on our own reading? I have been invited to set the ball rolling by reading a paper on this subject, the original of which I delivered before the Chicago Library Club early in this year. As far as I remember I have not yet seen in our published A. L. A. Papers any article on this specific subject ; and in using the word librarian I use it in the sense of any one connected with a library as libra- rian, assistant, cataloger, or classifier. We all know the popular idea about a librarian, that he has nothing to do but read. I am frequently asked by my medical and legal friends, "I suppose you read a good deal?" " I suppose you have much time for reading?" They are much surprised when I inform them that I do no reading in library hours, in the sense they use the word ; that that is not what I am there for and that I have no time for it. The public know nothing and care nothing about the technical work in a library. They have no idea of the amount of work necessary to get the books into shape for delivery and to keep the library in running order. They ex- pect the books to order themselves, transport themselves to the library, unpack themselves and climb on the shelves already marked for delivery. Of such matters as collation to avoid duplicates, checking invoices, accessioning, cataloging, classifying, shelf-listing and mark- ing, they have not the remotest notion. Many persons apply for work in libraries whose only recommendation is that "they like books," or, "are fond of reading," or, "are of a literary turn of mind." Recurring to the question which heads this paper, "How should a librarian read?" I would say that this includes also several other interrogatories ; when, where, what, and why, a librarian should read ? First, How he should read? (Herein I use the word he, as the professor used the word man, in a generic WIRE. sense ; everyone knows the sisters are always included and are always first in mind. ) As to the mechanical part of it, he will scarcely read as does the schoolboy, nor will he read with a dictionary always at his elbow. It is hoped he has at least a high school education and so is grounded in something more than the rudi- ments of learning. He should read under- standingly, having knowledge of the main facts of history, science, literature, and art. He should read rapidly as possible and still keep the sense of his reading. It is not too much to require that he read a sentence at a glance, and that his knowledge of common words be so good as to enable him to handle them in masses. Especially should he culti- vate the habit of rapidly scanning title-pages, binder's titles and backs of books, entries in printed and written catalogs, entries in shelf- lists, etc. He should learn to grasp a title at once, and accurately, and at the same time go through a course of reasoning about it which should soon become partly, if not wholly, mechanical. Too much stress cannot be laid on this subject of rapid reading ; or, more properly, perhaps, scanning. It is purely a professional reading, and with use of tables of contents, indexes, and judicious skipping, al- lows the librarian to get over a vast amount of ground in the smallest space of time. Of course he can not read with pen or even pencil in hand, as does the scholar, either mark- ing the book or taking notes. The former is a vile habit that no one should be guilty of, even with his own books ; still more should he be careful with library books, and so set a good example to the public. The next two questions, When, and Where should he read ? may be grouped together for answer. This opens up the much discussed question should he read in library hours? I have already touched on the subject from the popular point of view ; but as we well know that is, alas, not true. In many European libraries it is the rule for the librarian to read in library hours. He is in the library partly with that end in view and receives small wages in consequence. Libraries of this class are open only a few hours a day, if they are open so often as once a day ; and such libraries, as near as we can calculate, are largely for the benefit of the librarian. The long hours of closure are in his favor also. But this type of librarian is not the one with which we are familiar in this country. There are a few libraries here where he may be found, but only a few. As a rule the hours of service are supposed to be occupied in library work, using that term in a more or less re- stricted sense according to the atmosphere of the library. It would hardly be in order for many American librarians to do much reading in the library hours. Yet I think the librarian .should be justified and allowed, if not ex- pected, to spend a reasonable amount of time in acquainting himself with the resources of his library. As librarian he should be familiar with the criticisms and reviews of new books, should have time to glance over publishers' lists and second-hand catalogs, and should keep informed of the wants and needs of the library. In the discussion which followed the original reading of this paper, I remember one librarian saying he wished he had an hour a day to read ; but so many things had to be done that there seemed no time for reading, not even the reviews. Now, right here is, I think, a source of danger to some of us. We have so many wheels to keep going, so many irons in the fire, that we may neglect to improve our- selves. We forget that all the routine and mech- anism of the library is only a means to an end, the getting of the reader and the book together. The librarian is the living link and is the only really indispensable part of the machinery. The less a librarian knows the less he is worth, emphatically ; therefore, we had best leave out a few wheels, so there will not be so much machinery to tend, and know a little more ourselves. The catalogers should be required to famil- iarize themselves with the bibliography in the library and with general works on all subjects. Too often the cataloger is wofully ignorant of the resources, even in a strictly bibliographical line, of the library in which he works. Too often he labors at a disadvantage and spends time fruitlessly where knowledge of the authorities would help him materially in his work. The reference worker should be expected i8 DENVER CONFERENCE. to familiarize himself with books in a broad way ; indeed it should be one of the require- ments of the place, that he possess a good working knowledge of history 7 , literature, the arts, and sciences. There is no place, there should be no place, in a library for uneducated people, they are not to be considered for even what is purely mechanical work, so called. No work about a library is so mechanical as not to be better done, and with more economy to the library, by a person with at least a high school education. The librarian should be enough interested in his work to do his private reading outside library hours ; by that I mean his reading on standard subjects of history, literature, art, or the sciences. This leads naturally to the next question, What a librarian should read ? I do not think a librarian should waste his time in vain and profitless reading. Aside from time for social duties he should reserve for reading at least an hour a day. This time should be spent in a systematic manner, pursuing a definite scheme ; I do not say a course of read- ing. He should aim to keep in touch with his constituency, and in this day and age the burning questions of the hour, the economic and social topics, should be given much prom- inence. The library has a most important and most sacred duty to perform in these days of unrest and of upheaval, that of providing good, wholesome literature for the masses. Par- ticularly should the librarian aim to keep ahead, not merely abreast, of the times on these economic topics. He should anticipate the wants of his readers, whenever possible, in all these lines. He should read whatever is helpful to himself, especially on subjects with which he is not familiar, for it is on just such subjects he is liable to be interrogated some day. In many communities he ranks with the minister, and the teacher, as a dissem- inator of ideas, and he should be ever on the lookout for all that will aid him in his work. This brings me to the last division of my sub- ject Why he should read ? First, he should read to improve his own mind, for no one is so learned that he cannot learn more. The librarian is the sole surviving representative of the class of scholars so common up to the be- ginning of this century, the scholars who knew everything. Time was when a man by diligent study and proper use of his time could boast that he knew all knowledge. This was possible, simply because there was not so much to know as there now is. The development of any one of the natural and physical sciences in this century is now beyond the knowledge, the minute scientific knowledge, of any one man. But the librarian is expected to know some- thing of every thing, and a good deal in most cases. He has at his disposal the means of acquainting himself, more or less thoroughly, with the progress of the world. All the latest discoveries in science, all the latest theories in art, all new works in literature, all that is new, comes sooner or later to the eye of the librarian. Carlyle has truly said, in effect, that a true university is one of books, and library work should be but a synonym for a liberal education. A library is certainly the place where much can be learned, in fact more can be learned than in any one school. The wisest and best of our modern schools are using the seminar method of teaching wher- ever the nature of the subject allows it. This requires a working library at the disposal of the student, and also requires the student to work this library as he would a precious mine. The librarian has an opportunity to improve himself quite as much as the special student. I know of two librarians who have each ac- quired a good working knowledge of foreign languages by individual effort. One of them resolved to read fiction only in French and German, and thereby acquired, as I have said, a good working knowledge of those lan- guages. The other took them up with gram- mar and dictionary and easy authors, as even- ing work, and attained the same end. Many of us may not have the advantages of a col- lege education, but we have the advantage of our own libraries and of knowing books as no college student knows them. By devoting a small amount of our outside time to systematic study and keeping it up we can at least supply- many, if not all, of the deficiencies. In the second place, he should read in order to help other people. He should be of a help- ful, unselfish, disposition. We have no use for the reading librarian in this country, and LITTLE. happily, as has been said, we have few of them. He should not read solely those topics in which he is interested but, as before noted, should interest himself in all topics in order that he neglect no useful thing. As guide and pathfinder he must be content to show the way and point out the rich fields for those who follow. It should be his pleasure to do this ; not as a duty to be discharged, not as an irk- some task, but as finding it a genuine joy to help people. It is so with the librarian, as a class, for he has rightfully earned an enviable reputation for unselfish devotion to the people. The end and outcome of all the careful planning and work, of all the tedious mass of detail, should be to help people to read. As an animated aid and guide to readers his mission is one of the highest ; and as such we leave him, having tried to show briefly, how a librarian should read. HELPING INQUIRERS. BY GEORGE T. LITTLE, A. M., LIBRARIAN, BOWDOIN COLLEGE, BRUNSWICK, ME. '"PHE object of this paper is to set forth briefly the two principles that underlie successful work in aiding inquirers in our public libra- ries. Let no one smile at their simplicity or ob- viousness. There is no royal road to excellence in the so-cajled reference work. The assistant or the librarian who stands at the information desk, must have, first, the ability to gain a clear comprehension of the inquirer's need ; and second, such a knowledge of his library as will enable him to use its resources, or to pre- sent them for use, with reasonable readiness. I. Understanding the Inquirer. Difficulty often arises here in two ways : from haziness in the mind of the inquirer, and from misleading requests on his part. For example, a middle- aged man of common school education hears his pastor repeatedly allude to the influence of the doctrine of evolution on the thought of the age. Finding one day that some one else has the novel he came for, he is moved to read up evolution, and wisely betakes himself to you for aid. Now his need for something that will at once interest and instruct him is real enough, but his request for "a good book on evolution" partakes of the vagueness of his knowledge of that theory. By adroit questioning as to his previous read- ing and studies, you must ascertain whether his mental training will admit of his perusing profitably a brief statement of the theory, like Clodd's Primer of Evolution ; whether his taste for natural science is strong enough to warrant you in handing him one of Mr. Dar- win's own works ; whether his interest in the bible makes the discussion of the interpreta- tion of Genesis, the best avenue to this subject ; or whether, as is so often the case, both the habits of reading and the desire for knowledge are of that sort best satisfied with an article in one of the popular magazines. If you attempt to answer his request without making it clearer, you may be sure his course of reading on evolution will come to an untimely end. More exasperating, though not so difficult to prescribe for, is the inquirer who knows his need, but misleads you in stating it. He wishes the text of the Latin verses that Mary, Queen of Scots, is said to have written in her captivity, and he asks for the most extended history of England ; or, he wants the name of an island in the Pacific that is spelled with eleven letters, and he calls for your most comprehensive work on geography. A librarian of tact can generally find oppor- tunity to ask the special purpose for which any extended work is desired, especially if it is not alphabetically arranged or well indexed, and thus succeed in rendering the needed assistance. Diffident, as well as conceited, seekers after knowledge often waste hours by not divulging the exact object of their search, though they are ready to request aid and have no cause to be ashamed of their investigation. When the inquirer knows what he wants and asks for it with ordinary clearness, it does not necessarily follow that his need will be comprehended at once. The English lan- guage can conceal thought as well as express it. The librarian must be cordial enough to lead the inquirer to speak freely and fully. He must have enough of intellectual sympathy 20 DENVER CONFERENCE. to understand the words in the sense they are spoken. Such adjectives as "short," "long," ' ' scholarly, " " popular, " " standard, ' ' when applied to books vary in their force with the speaker. Above all he must strive not to consciously assume the position of mental superiority. If he does, he places a hindrance in the way of his giving real assistance that may become at any moment an impassable barrier. In a word, the mental dexterity of a lawyer, the manners of a diplomat, and the patience of a saint are qualities the librarian must cultivate, if he would clearly comprehend the inquiries put to him. II. Mastery of the Library. A few libra- rians meet the popular ideal and are walking encyclopedias. Most, however, know only because they know where to find the facts. It follows, therefore, that the librarian's servicea- bleness to inquirers varies with his familiarity with the scope and character of the books that make up his collection. In particular, he should aim to have the acquaintance of an ex- pert : (i) with reference books, (2) with the classification of the library, (3) with recent bibliographies. A large proportion of the questions asked a librarian can be answered from books of reference, if of recent issue. Much of this in- formation, however, is not available to the ordinary inquirer, because he does not know the work to which he should turn, or does not understand how to use it. The efficient helper is one who can do both. He has familiar- ized himself not only with the character and scope, but also with the idiosyncrasies of the common cyclopedias and dictionaries. For instance, the peculiar genealogical grouping in Appleton's Cyclopedia of Ameri- can Biography will not prevent his discovering the notice of Gerrit Smith, the philanthropist, in the paragraph headed Peter Smith. He will know or notice that the full list of abbre- viations in the appendix of the Standard Dictionary is supplemented by another of academic degrees under the word degree in the body of the work. Of far greater moment, however, is the wide- ness of the range of books, which the skilled librarian uses as tools. He strives to reinforce the usual group of reference books with an array of authoritative works relating to the various departments of knowledge. His con- stant aim is to hear of some trustworthy book to fill a weak point in the circle of things to be asked about. This conscious endeavor to collect a series of books that will enable him to find something about everything, is naturally attended by a thorough acquaintance with the particular clas- sification adopted in his own library. Fortu- nate the librarian who has himself classified a large part of the books under his care ; even more fortunate the one who has so studied Encyclopedia as defined by Dr. E. C. Rich- ardson at the Lake George Conference that his own conception of the relations of things will supplement any deficiencies of the partic- ular system in use in his library. For the librarian must not, like the reader, be dependent merely upon the index to the classification. He must so understand the shading of one subject into another as to have at command mental cross-references that never materialize in an index, or would appear there only to mislead. He must not, for instance, be dismayed, on having a request for literary mat- ter on ' 'thoroughness, ' ' to find that neither essay nor classification index is apparently of service. "To choose time is to save time." The reference librarian must not only choose time by anticipating and preparing for inquiries upon subjects that will probably command public attention, but by collecting, arranging and annotating bibliographies. By biblio- graphies, I do not refer so much to the more pretentious works of this sort, invaluable to the special investigator and the cataloger, as to the more informal and helpful notes and essays which fortunately are becoming of fre- quent appearance in library bulletins and liter- ary newspapers, and which find both a model and an illustration in Mr. W. E. Foster's Ref- erence Lists. The librarian is not only to be on the lookout for these, he must preserve them (or references to them) in such a way as to be of immediate service. It is quite possible for a person of ordinary memory and ability, by careful study of refer- ence books, by familiarity with the arrange- ment of his library, and by attention to the aids which his fellow librarians have put in print, to gain that "respectable amount of information about a great many things" essen- tal to work at the information desk. WADE. 21 CATALOGING IN THE FUTURE. BY EMILY ISABEL WADE, SAN FRANCISCO FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. C INCE it is by means of the catalogue that the books in a library are expected to accom- plish the purpose for which they were created, it naturally follows that the catalogue should be so presented that it will be within the reach, both literally and figuratively, of all who care to use it. In these days of trained assistants much more attention is given to the proper classification of the library ; to looking into the future for the lines along which it is likely to develop ; and in fixing upon that system or combination of systems most likely to meet the requirements. With the help of such sug- gestive guides as the Dewey Decimal System, the Cutter, Harvard, or Berkeley classifica- tions, the decision ought to be a comparatively easy matter. But when these preliminaries are settled, the vexing question is, in what form and through what medium shall the catalogue be pre- sented? Where the public is excluded from the shelves and the time of the librarians is fully taken up with the giving out and receiv- ing of books, some guide to the contents of the library must be furnished or the whole collection is virtually lost. Shall it be that much abused old standby, the card catalogue, or is that to give place to those later con- trivances the Leyden and Sacconi binders, or the Rudolph appliances ? They are all modifications of the card cata- logue and, though going beyond it in many ways, still share in its disadvantages. The binders, by their convenient size for handling and the ease with which additions may be made, possess an advantage which is overbalanced by the rapidity with which they accumulate and the space, available for other matter, oc- cupied by them. Like the card catalogue, too, because of direct contact with the hands of a not too clean public, they are liable to be- come gradually unfit to be used at all, and must be replaced by new ones. That is one of the serious drawbacks to the card catalogue and, with every possible precaution, each re- copying is a fruitful source of errors. Therein the Rudolph Indexer has the ad- vantage, because, its insertions being under glass, when once the work is in position there is little necessity for its being recopied. An- other point in its favor is the convenient height of the case. Having six pages spread at one time before you, by the small exertion of turning a crank, economizes the time and consequently much of the nerve power of the searcher. On the other hand, great care is necessary in placing the insertions, particularly the author entries, in position. Since the author's name usually appears on a line by itself, with his works indented below it, there is always the possibility of shifting the responsibility of a book upon some one holding diametrically opposite views. This difficulty may be over- come to a considerable extent, either by making notes upon the back of each slip or, better still, by marking the author's initials in red ink at the left hand side of each entry. As the White Knight would say, "this is an in- vention of my own," which has proved very satisfactory. In cases where one person has written some books, and translated, edited, or compiled others, these distinctions may be preserved by placing a tiny figure i under the initial of his surname for each translation, a 2 for the edited works, a 3 for each compilation, and so on. Of course the danger of misplace- ment is serious only in the case of writers whose works are not very well known, but it is annoying at any time, and emphasizes the ne- cessity of employing only skilled labor. Another rock to be avoided is that of filling the Indexer too full. If its capacity be ex- ceeded so that the chain of leaf-holders ap- proaches the sides of the case within less than about six inches, it is likely to result in a pied heap on the bottom of the box. The same result may be expected if the two drums, over which the chain must ride, be not so nicely ad- justed as to stand exactly parallel. Since ac- cidents of this kind are liable to happen in the best regulated libraries, it is well to render them as harmless as possible by covering the floor of the Indexer with clean paper, or a blotter, to absorb any stray oil that may have 22 DENVER CONFERENCE. dripped from the mechanical portions. But, allowing for all these shortcomings, it is the most satisfactory contrivance that has been produced thus far. It is more convenient to use, renders the search quicker and more sat- isfactory, and may be made a thoroughly re- liable copy for the printer, in case a printed catalogue be desired. Now as all these appliances, the Leyden and Sacconi binders, and the Rudolph con- trivances, serve merely for use in the library it would seem as though some sort of a printed list is needed ; especially in those libraries where the attendance is so large as to make waiting for a turn at the catalogue tedious. With but the one list for every one, unless the reader has a clear idea of what particular book he wishes to read, the possibility of making a satisfactory selection with the con- sciousness of limited time is not very favor- able. Printed lists of interesting courses of reading, and periodical bulletins of the new accessions, help to remove the strain from the official catalogue. It is a curious fact that bulletins increase the circulation of the particular books they contain to the exclusion of other works, equally inter- esting and well-written, which have appeared only in the official catalogue. This goes to prove that printed lists are an advantage, but with a limit of usefulness soon reached. Their rapidly increasing alphabets, by exhausting the patience of the long-suffering public, force the conviction that something more compre- hensive is needed, and the printed catalogue suggests itself as a natural consequence. At the Lake Placid meeting of the Association a question respecting the cost, preparation, and mechanical execution of printed cata- logues was left in the question-box unan- swered, and has been given to me to work out. In trying to form an estimate, so many varying circumstances must be taken into consideration that the conclusion will at best hardly furnish a reliable working basis. The preparation of the work from the very begin- ning makes comparison difficult, since some catalogers work more quickly and reliably, accomplishing more in a given time, than do others who receive the same compensation. The weight of the paper used, and the styles of type, are important factors in the cost. The entries for the catalogue vary in length in dif- ferent libraries, from the shortest possible title to the longest bibliographical style. Even the manner of preparing the copy for the printer has its variety, since some prepare a man- uscript regularly, while others, more econom- ically inclined, have the printing done from the catalogue cards directly. In the arrange- ment of the page, double columns will be found rather more economical than a single one of wide measure. Attempting to pass over these difficulties, two finding-lists have been selected, having enough points in common to render a com- parison possible. Both are octavo volumes, printed upon manilla paper, with short titles. One, the Scranton Public Library Finding-List No. i, lists about 12,000 volumes upon 205 pages at $2.58 per page ; or, about 4 cents per volume. The 11,000 volumes shown in the Finding-List of the Salem Public Library fi 11 2 1 8 pages at a cost of $2.58 per page ; or, about 5 cents per volume. The catalogue of English Prose Fiction of the Manchester (N. H.) City Library, printed rather more elaborately upon heavy white paper, brings up the cost per volume to about 6 cents. These were all printed by the ordinary method of composition, and so, perhaps, it might be interesting to compare with them data of work done on the linotype. The fol- lowing is an estimate offered by the Frieden- wald Company of Baltimore on a Fiction Finding-List, on manilla paper, for the Pratt Institute. All prices given include sewed binding, muslin back, and manilla board cover, so the difference in the cost of the two editions will probably represent the cost of composition. EDITION OF ONE THOUSAND COPIES. For black-faced head-entries and call-numbers : 1. Brevier pages, first ed.,$3.75; later ed., $2.25. 2. Nonpareil pages, first ed., $6.00; later ed., $3.40. Head-entries and call-numbers in regular-faced type: 1. Brevier pages, first ed., $2.70; later ed., $1.75. 2. Nonpareil pages, first ed., $4.24; later ed., $2.50. EDITION OF FIVE HUNDRED COPIES. Black-faced head-entries and call-numbers : 1. Brevier pages, first ed., $3.45; later ed.,$i.g$. 2. Nonpareil pages, first ed., $5.70; later ed.,$3.io. Head-entries and call-numbers in regular-faced type: 1. Brevier pages, first ed.,$2.4o; later ed., $1.45. 2. Nonpareil pages, first ed.,$3.94; later ed., $2.20. The type-bars properly indexed are kept in the vaults of the Friedenwald Co. WADE. Miss Plummer says further, that the prices quoted for subsequent editions are based upon a lapse of two years. Beyond that time they would charge about ten per cent, additional on the price already quoted for later editions. The great difference in the cost between the black-faced and the regular-faced type is accounted for by the fact that the black-faced matrices must be inserted by hand, which takes about three times as long. Another case is that quoted from the article by Mr. Richardson of Princeton College Library, in the Symposium on Linotyping Library Catalogs printed in the Library Journal of August, 1894. "In June, 1893, a special collection of books on political science having been given to the library, a linotype finding- list was made of this department (44 pp.). Two later single editions have been made of the body of this (36 pp. ), with additional lines. The third edition cost altogether about $3 against the nearly $100 which it would have cost new set in type. It is not typographically good, but it indicates unmistakably that the system is practicable." The generally accep- ted conclusion of the Symposium seems to be that the linotype can be used to advantage. The life of the type is supposed to be about 20 editions, or a maximum of 50,000 impres- sions, although it is stated that the Linotype Reporting and Printing Co. of 32 Park Row, New York, has patented a process of copper- facing which will last a century. The expense of printing successive editions will amount to little more than the cost of the new material added to the interest on the standing metal. The ordinary metal costs from 82 to 9! cents per pound, or less ; and for a catalogue of from i,ooo to 1,200 pages, about 7 tons would be required, according to the estimate given by Mr. Nathan Billstein, of the Friedenwald Co. It has been urged that since the machine casts but one line at a time, the parts of a title composed of several lines are liable to become separated. But the size and shape of the line is such that it would seem simple enough to clamp together those which form one entry and arrange them in cases like a card catalogue. This possibility of storing the type-bars is interesting in its bearing upon the much- discussed idea of centralization in cataloging. Unless too much is claimed for it in theory which practice will not bear out, the linotype furnishes the most economical solution to the problem. For example, an enterprising book- publisher invests in several machines and establishes a bureau superintended by a com- petent cataloger whose duty it is to have entries for all books cast upon the linotype and filed away in order. The bars are then stored away for future use. Generally speaking, all libraries are com- posed of very much the same works. Now, if a certain number of institutions can meet together and decide upon some classification, which, like the Cutter system, admits of iden- tical call-numbers, periodical invoices of books can be obtained from the Central Bureau and furnished with the required numbers of reliable slips ready to be inserted in the cat- alogue. Books in the library before the organization of the company may be listed in the library or indicated upon check-lists 'furn- ished by the bureau, and all necessary entries supplied from them. At such time as a printed catalogue may seem necessary, it may be ob- tained in the same way. This would of course prove most satisfactory in the case of small libraries of from 5,000 to 10,000 volumes. Larger libraries do not take kindly to co-operative cataloging except in the use of the indispensable Poole's and A. L. A. Indexes. These larger libraries, if they can afford the outlay necessary to purchase a lino- type of their own, will be more independent. Works will be cataloged from the books directly, and from the bars once cast periodical bulletins will be printed and the type-entries filed away in some systematic arrangement. These bulletins will be distributed among the patrons of the library besides being mounted upon cardboard and inserted in the Rudolph Indexer. As soon as it seems desirable to publish a catalogue of the entire contents, it will be printed from the standing type-bars. In order to economize as much as possible, the Indexers will be cleared as soon as the catalogue is issued, and then used merely to hold supplementary lists between the succes- sive editions of comprehensive catalogues, while the lines of type form the real official catalogue. From this, through the ease with which the bars may be taken out and arranged in differ- ent combinations, convenient lists of books on DENVER CONFERENCE. current questions will be issued from time to time. Catalogues of fiction, philosophy and religion, history and biography, literature, or whatever subject seems most likely to promote the best interests of the library, may be pub- lished when the time seems ripe. It is not necessary that these lists be elaborate tri- umphs of bibliographical skill. A guide which brings the contents of the library before the busy public in the simplest, most easily com- prehended manner, is the best fer all practical purposes. And the linotype with its wonder- ful possibilities holds out the hope that such lists will not in the future continue to be the almost unattainable luxury which they are at present. CATALOGING IN THE FUTURE. BY GEORGE WATSON COLE, LIBRARIAN, JERSEY CITY FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. better its catalogues the more successful will the library be in drawing readers to its shelves. The expense of printing has led to all kinds of shifts in order to get a catalogue, or rather some kind of a catalogue, at a minimum cost. Hence we have the title-a-liner finding-list, and more recently those printed by the lino- type process. To the librarian who has seen and handled the books which are merely hinted at in such lists, they are of some slight value, because of his previous knowledge of them ; but what shall we say of the general public whose only knowledge of these same books must be obtained from such skeleton outlines? Our libraries must have better and fuller catalogues. Catalogues which may convey all the information that is demanded by the mind of the average reader. The expense of such catalogues is such as to debar many libraries from even attempting them. If one library goes to the great ex- pence necessary to secure a fine catalogue, and gets just such a catalogue as it wants, it has done well. Every library in the country may have the best catalogue that can be made, but if my library does not go to the expense of preparing its own catalogue and printing it, it is very little if any better off, than if the other libraries had taken no steps in the mat- ter. In other words, the catalogues of other libraries, however excellent in themselves, are of but the slightest use to any other library. I do not know that I can offer any present solution to this difficulty, but in a paper which has been published by the Pennsylvania Library Club (Occasional Papers, No. 3), I have advanced some ideas which may be of use in this connection even if not printed herewith. NOTE. It was hoped, and rather expected, that Mr. Cole would find it possible to amplify the above article prior to its printing in these Papers. Severe illness at that time, however, put his doing so out of the question, and the remarks stand as at first submitted. AX7"HEN arranging for the program of the Denver Conference the president asked me to prepare a paper on library catalogues. Press of work prevented acceptance of the in- vitation, and in its stead the following remarks are submitted : That the preparation and printing of cata- logues is a source of very great expense to libraries is a too well known fact among mem- bers of our profession to be dwelt upon at length. The work is expensive from whatever point we look at it. The time and labor in- volved in preparing a catalogue, by a catalog- ing force, is simply appalling, when it is taken into consideration that this work must be du- plicated by every library owning a copy of the book cataloged. The proper maintenance of an efficient cataloging staff is the one expense which is the hardest to impress upon the trus- tees as being a necessity. I am of the opinion that the success of any library, other things being equal, depends en- tirely upon the excellence of its catalogue. Given two libraries containing the same ma- terial (having, if you please, identically the same books on their shelves), the one with a perfect catalogue, the other with a poor cat- alogue, and the proportionate work done by these two libraries can safely be predicted beforehand from the character of their cata- logues. Another feature should not be overlooked : I refer to the means of circulating catalogues, when made, among the patrons of the library. A reference library, whose readers must come to the library to study, may be able to get along without a printed catalogue, but the free public circulating library never ! The printed catalogue, or finding-list, can no more be dispensed with in such libraries than an engine can be run without coal or water. The ANDRE WS. 2 5 INTERNATIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE. BY CLEMENT W. ANDREWS, LIBRARIAN, JOHN CRERAR LIBRARY, CHICAGO. OINCE the last meeting of the Association the subject of International Bibliography has attracted so much attention that it is not strange that this topic should be considered worthy a place on the program. It is one of great interest to me personally, and the loss of the opportunity to discuss it with other librarians is another cause for regret at my in- ability to be present at the meeting this year. My attitude, however, would be so decidedly that of a questioner and learner that it is a very great embarrassment to find that I am expected to open the discussion. Yet such a position has its advantages, as it gives an op- portunity for an impersonal presentation of the subject, which shall outline the present status of the question, and indicate the points on which discussion is most needed without offering extended argument on those points. Presumably all are familiar with the circular of the Royal Society proposing co-operation in the preparation of a subject index of scien- tific literature, and with the responses of Har- vard University and the Franklin Institute, as published in the Library Journal. Those especially interested in the subject doubtless have followed the discussion in Science, which has shown such a range of opinion as would indicate that the five years suggested by the Royal Society are none too many to secure agreement on the points considered. Yet the answers to the circular have been so encouraging that the Council of the Royal Society has approved the recommendation of its committee, that an international conference of representatives of the several nations en- gaged in scientific work be held in London next July, to discuss and settle upon a detailed scheme. This recommendation was made in accordance with suggestions received from various sources, one of great weight being that of the Konigl. Gesellschaft der Wissen- schaften in Gottingen. The report of the committee accompanying the recommenda- 4 tion, as published in Nature for July 18, is very interesting, and not least in its recogni- tion of the support received from the American correspondents. The first question proposed by the commit- tee, that of the desirability of such a catalogue, has met with a practically unanimous answer in the affirmative. Dr. Billings is, as far as appears, the only dissentient, and it is not clear how seriously he would care to have his arguments taken, as they are hardly put in a strictly logical form. In answer to one, it may be said that it does not appear that any considerable sum of money will be spent on this scheme which otherwise would or could be devoted to the formation of a fund for the advancement of science in other ways. To another, that even if it were true that the forcing of partially digested food down an un- willing throat benefits no one but the patient, though that seems to deny any value of his life to other people, yet on the other hand few will hold that, physical vigor can be obtained only by restricting one's diet to those articles of food which one has with his own hands planted, reaped, and cooked. There is one aspect of the question of de- sirability which it may be worth while to con- sider ; and that is the extent to which such a catalogue would benefit libraries in particular. It seems to be generally considered that libra- ries would be one of the considerable sources of subscriptions, and undoubtedly all libraries of institutions where original research is car- ried on, and all the larger public libraries would consider it a necessity. On the other hand the average public library might find it too costly, and between these extremes there will be a large number of special libraries which will use it very largely in proportion to the possibility of subscribing to limited por- tions. The question of practicability is one on which the committee report great difference 26 DENVER CONFERENCE. of opinion. So far as obtaining the material is concerned, the co-operation which may be expected, and which has to some extent been promised, will go far towards overcoming the difficulties. It is the financial side of the question upon which doubt is felt. The com- mittee express no opinion themselves, but say that many think that the subscriptions would meet the cost, while others think that govern- mental aid could and should be obtained. They also say that no estimates of the cost have been made. This will depend, of course, on the number of titles catalogued, and this, again, on the extent of ground covered and the completeness with which it is done. On these points great diversity of opinion appears. Only on the advantages of the titles being ac- companied by a brief abstract of the contents is there general agreement. Dr. Billings esti- mates the number of titles in biology and allied branches of science as 10,000 per annum ; and judging from the number in the Chemisches Central- Blait, the same number would be suffi- cient for chemistry. It is possible, therefore, that even if limited to the physical and natural sciences, the total number of titles might ex- ceed 50,000 per annum, while if the scheme were made as comprehensive as has been pro- posed by some it might reach 100,000. The discussion at the proposed Conference should give us some satisfactory data on the subject. I am not sure that the question of manage ment is of importance to us. Provided the scheme is well carried out, it will make very little difference to us whether it is done by a central administration, by a federation of local bureaus, or by a federation of separate bureaus and other bibliographical agencies for each branch of science, or by a combination of any or all of these methods. It seems to be gen- erally agreed that the enterprise should be international, and that the co-operation of all civilized nations is desirable, but how this can best be secured will have to be settled by the Conference. American scientific workers will support cordially any promising plan, but it is at least doubtful if the support given by French work- ers to a plan bearing the name of an English society, or by German workers to a French plan, would be equally cordial. It may or may not be significant in this connection that the committee do not mention the reply of a single French society or institution. For this reason, as well as for others, the federation scheme may prove the most practicable, and for this reason it may also prove desirable to avoid making a choice of either of the three great scientific languages as an official one. This could be done, as in the Repertoire Bibliographique des Sciences Mathe"matiques, by indicating the subject by letters and num- bers. Of course this would mean a classified catalogue, though in card or sheet form it could readily be converted into an alphabetical one, in any language, by writing the proper subject names. The consideration of the form of the cata- logue should be of great interest to librarians. The committee report that many, especially Americans, favor cards ; still it is also by an American, Dr. Goode, that the objections to the card form for subject catalogues have been well stated. From some little experience in making bibliographical lists for my pwn use, I am led to agree with him fully. One objection which he mentions will meet with instant recognition as serious, and that is the great bulk of the index in card form. Almost any library might hesitate to provide cases and room for the million cards which probably would be issued in twenty years. Yet it does not seem to me that the only alternative to the single card is the annual volume, or volumes, recommended by Dr. Goode, which apparently was what the Coun- cil had in mind when sending out their circular. The mathematical bibliography already men- tioned avoids the most pressing necessity of annotations by entering the title under all of the important subjects of the article, and then puts ten titles on a single card a little larger than the postal size, without loss of legibility. Might it not be advisable to carry this reduc- tion still further by printing on sheets rather than on cards ? If a quarto sheet wide enough for two columns of cards, and the same type as in the mathematical bibliography were used, about forty titles could be printed on one side of the sheet, leaving the other blank. By this method the number of sheets would not exceed 3,000 per annum. Such a form would not provide, as the cards would, for an issue practically simultaneous with publication, although it would approach this in the subjects most discussed. Still any RO WELL. 27 excessive delay could be avoided by a judi- cious grouping of subjects rarely written about, and by not waiting until a sheet is completely filled before sending it out. To the objection that the incompletely filled sheets would give the index an unsymmetrical and ragged ap- pearance, it may be replied that one does not choose his keys for the symmetry of the ar- rangement of their wards, but for their power to unlock the doors. The scheme of the Royal Society is not the only, though it is the most extensive plan of international scientific bibliography before the public. Besides the Repertoire already men- tioned, there is published a similar card index to the literature of photography, and many are probably acquainted with the card index of the Agricultural Department at Washington, and with that on botany published at Cam- bridge. More important, however, in its possibilities, is the plan now before the zoologists for an in- ternational bibliography of their literature. Although no official publication has been made in this country, it has been discussed to some extent in Nature, and even more on the Con- tinent. From an item in Nature, and from private inquiries it appears that the plan has passed the preliminary stages of organization and probably will be put in operation next year. Briefly, it is that of a central bureau at Zurich, where a building has been promised for the work of the bureau and for the storage of its library. The co-operation of all the great zoological societies, except the En- glish, has been obtained, and that of several bibliographers, notably of Prof. Carus. One or more of the chief bibliographical publica- tions in the subject will be consolidated with the bureau. The bibliography will be in the form of cards containing titles and synopses of articles. It is proposed to undertake the work for five years, leaving the question of contin- uance or of joining in the Royal Society's scheme to be determined at the end of that time. It is evident that this plan, if carried out, will furnish most valuble information as to the possibilities and difficulties of the larger plan of the Royal Society, so that we may hope for a solution of the problem in the near future. Whether represented in the Conference or not, the University and large public libraries will watch its proceedings with great interest, and will be inclined to join in the scheme. A SUBJECT-INDEX TO SCIENCE. BY JOSEPH C. ROWELL, LIBRARIAN, STATE UNIVERSITY, BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA. T^HE problem of an index to scientific liter- ature, now currently discussed, appeals for its solution to librarians not less urgently than to scientists. In view of our bibliogra- phical necessities growing more imperative with each successive year, we, who are not altogether strangers to co-operative work, should be eager to propose the scope, to for- mulate a method, of the suggested index, and be ready to actively assist in its accomplish- ment. In the hope that the present conference of the A. L. A. (perhaps through a special committee) may mature some plan, I submit with diffidence my conclusions on this ques- tion, without stating reasons leading thereto. First, then, what is feasible ? A compre- hensive and complete index of the world's scientific literature is a wholly Utopian idea ; its compilation must be postponed to some millennial age when all nations shall speak or comprehend a single tongue. Let us elimi- nate from the scheme all languages other than the Romance and Teutonic. Eliminate all purely literary and purely tech- nical periodicals, while science articles in liter- ary journals will be amply cared for by the Poole-Fletcher Index. Technology should be handled in a district index, an extended and improved Kerl-Reith Re'pertorium. A techni- cal index appeals to an entirely different clien- tele from one of science. An index including both the Royal Society of London and black- smithing or oil-trade journals would indeed be an anomaly. Eliminate further all monographic books and pamphlets, and separata. Leave this 28 DENVER CONFERENCE. class of printed work to the publishing trade journals and the successors to such accom- plished bibliographers as Engelmann, Carus, and Houzeau. In other words include in the index : (a) the Bulletin, Journal, Transactions or other publi- cation of academies of science and learned institutions ; (b) serial or continued publica- tions of a scientific nature issued by govern- ments, states, universities, zoological stations, etc.; (c) such parts of publications of Hun- garian, Slavic, Japanese, etc., societies as are printed in Latin or in a Romance or Teutonic language. Second, The index should be issued printed and in book form. A card catalogue is but a temporary expedient, not the future final form. An index of science on cards, as sug- gested by the Harvard committee, would occupy space that could be afforded only by- large institutions ; tediously wasteful of time both in its use and in the proper current alphabetization of large numbers of new cards ; and subject to the many vicissitudes with which we librarians are but too familiar. The printed index should be composed of an alphabet of authors and one of topics, put in small type, say brevier, and in columns not wider than 3? inches. The entries should be in the original vernacular, but titles in both author and subject lists should be shortened as much as is consistent with accuracy, and further condensation obtained by the use of abbreviations. Care should be taken that the subject entries be placed under the most pre- cise topic, and not mere title entries. How not to do it is exemplified in Poole's Index, vol. I, p. 504, col. 2, "Geneva. Concerning the use of fagots at" the entry should have been under Servetus. The index should be published annually, and the annual volumes reissued in quin- quennial volumes. Third, What parts should not be indexed ? A considerable portion of scientific magazines is devoted to reviews and condensed accounts of intelligence derived from other journals. These should be omitted. Scientists want to know where the original article (e.g., on argon, or on pithecanthropus erectus) is to be found, bu t not the numerous unimportant re- views or the imperfect and often incorrect repetitions. Full or nearly complete transla- tions of articles should be carefully noted. Fourth, The question of language in an international polyglot index is not a puzzling one. If the Royal Society of London, the American Philosophical Society, or the Smith- sonian Institution, undertakes the task, let all subject headings be printed in English, with cross references from corresponding French, German, Italian, etc., words. Or, should the Berlin Gesellschaft have the honor of inaugur- ating the work, preference should be accorded to German. Fifth, Co-operative indexing under direc- tion of societies in different countries is likely to prove a failure ; not by reason of any ne- cessary lack of uniformity in method, but because of an extreme deliberativeness, too probable on the part of some contributors, preventing promptness of issue. I consider that two energetic competent indexers, versed in a reading knowledge of the continental languages, one devoting himself to the math- ematical and physical branches of knowledge, and the other to the biological, would amply suffice to carry on the annual work. Provided, that they were located in some center of scien- tific activity whither all matter for indexing should be sent without expenditure of effort by them, and where they could receive expert advice on doubtful entries. First to be done is the preparation of a sub- ject index to the eleven volumes of the Royal Society's Catalogue of Scientific Papers ; and as the chief labor connected therewith would be scissoring, condensing, pasting on slips, and arranging under headings, two persons within the limits of a single year should have the copy ready for the printer. Print one edition on stout linen paper, and a cheaper one on thin paper (as used in the Index Kewensis), and the sales in time should more than equal cost of publication. Cost of com- pilation (the salaries of two indexers) could easily be afforded by government or by some well-endowed society. To secure success three qualities are essen- tial accuracy, brevity, and promptness of FIELD 29 THE BIBLIOGRAPHIA ZOOLOGICA. BY HERBERT HAVILAND FIELD. "POR several years the question of an exten- sive reform of zoological bibliography has been actively agitated among specialists in that branch, and numerous committees have been organized in almost all parts of the civilized world for the purpose of realizing a definite project. It is now possible to take immediate action, and it seems therefore wise to bring this matter to the attention of the assembled librarians, and to solicit their aid and advice in this important undertaking. In January, 1896, there will be established in Zurich, Switzerland, a central bibliographical bureau of zoology and comparative anatomy. This bureau will enlist correspondents in all parts of the world, and will stand in direct relation with sub-bureaus in Bohemia, Gallicia, Hungary, Russia, and elsewhere if necessary. The work of the sub-bureaus will consist in passing in review the publications of their respective nationalities. They are established merely for those countries, whose literature in view of the language employed presents exceptional difficulties for the bibliographer. The entire work will be concentrated as far as possible in Zurich, the activity of the corre- spondents being restricted to works inaccessi- ble to the central bureau. In order to obtain the zoological publications which can not be found in the Swiss libraries, it is intended to issue an appeal to scientific publishers and editors and to learned socie- ties, as well as authors themselves. It is felt that this form of co-operation can reasonably be expected, for it is obviously to the interest of each of these classes that their publications be promptly recorded. In fact a preliminary canvas undertaken in Paris shows that this is the case. Turning now to the system of recording, let it be noted at the outset that the staff of the bureau will consist of trained specialists. This fact permits it to undertake a task of immense value which has hitherto not been possible. Formerly the individual investigator has been unable to depend upon the work of bib- liographers for much information which he constantly requires, and all have been obliged to undertake a painstaking personal search in order to gain the conviction that no important observation, however hidden, has been over- looked. Let any one compare the bibliographies published at the end of a memoir with the list of titles given under a corresponding heading in the best of our subject-indices ; and the de- ficiency of the latter will be at once apparent. A writer on the nervous system, for example, will cite hosts of papers which never appeared under that heading in any of our bibliograph- ical journals. We do not for a moment mean to blame these journals for this insufficiency. They had not the means to do otherwise than merely to class the titles. The new bureau will seek to remedy this defect. Where the former enterprises con- tented themselves with classifying the papers mechanically according to the titles, the new bureau will pass in review the text of each article and assign it its proper place accord- ingly. The classification will be based upon the text and the units to be classified will be the individual observations and not each paper as a whole. In other words, a memoir might figure under several headings, were its con- tents more or less complex. Furthermore any incidental observations which were not noted in the title would be brought out by the bu- reau. A great burden will thus be taken off the shoulders of the investigator, and the work which was hitherto performed by each sep- arate worker can in a large measure be done once for all in the central bureau. The publications of the bureau will consist of two principal editions : a fortnightly bulletin, and a card catalogue. The morphological titles will be reprinted annually in the Zoolog- ischer Jahresbericht, and indexed according to authors. It is to be hoped that similar arrangements can be made for those in sys- tematic zoology. DENVER CONFERENCE. The bulletin will be divided into a series of of chapters, each dealing with a specific group, or topic. Under each heading will be placed not merely such works as deal exclusively with the matter indicated, but also such as have incidental observations in regard to it. The cards will be issued simultaneously with the bulletin and will be of the smaller Library Bureau size. They will be essentially author cards ; but they will also bear classificatory symt>ols of such nature that they can be read- ily placed in a subject-index by persons un- familiar with zoology. Three sets of symbols will be used, each indicating distinct systems of classification (systematic, morphological, and faunistic), and all based upon a study of the text. It is proposed eventually to recive subscrip- tions to the cards relating to any limited topic. A person studying a special question could then be informed at once of the appearance of any publications touching his particular field. The choice of Zurich as the seat of the bureau was prompted by several considerations, fore- most among which was the desire to avoid any conflicts growing out of national jealousies and yet to select a point which should be as close as possible to the geographical centre of publication. Zurich, the intellectual centre of German Switzerland, well fills these require- ments and, in view of the exceptional induce- ments generously offered by the federal, can- tonal and town authorities, the choice was definitely made. A GENERAL CATALOG OF AMERICAN LITERARY PERIODICALS. BY CHARLES ALEXANDER NELSON, COLUMBIA COLLEGE LIBRARY. HTHE question of making a catalog of Amer- ican Literary Periodicals, perhaps not limiting it to strictly literary periodicals, but possibly including all periodicals published in the United States, has been taken up and dis- cussed by the New York Library Club, and a committee has been appointed to formulate a scheme. It was suggested in our discussion that it would be a good idea to call upon the library clubs and associations in different parts of the country to co-operate with us in this great work ; that it was something in which all would be interested. To draw out points and suggestions about it at this meeting, therefore, is why this subject is upon our program. It may not be generally known that Mr. Paul Leicester Ford, of Brooklyn, a few years ago undertook to make a list of American period- icals prior to the Revolution. After the club had voted upon this matter, and had appointed its committee, I had some conversation with Mr. Ford on the subject, and his report as to his success in making up his list was not al- together encouraging. There are probably hundreds, if not thous- ands, of periodicals that have been started, and had a brief existence in the United States, of which little or no trace can be found to-day. But these are the very periodicals that we wish to get hold of. A copy or copies of perhaps every one can be found somewhere ; they may not all have been destroyed by the grinding up of paper during the civil war, and now, when we have the best opportunity, for the present is certainly better than the future for such work, now, I repeat, is the time to begin, and undertake this work of making a complete list of American Periodicals. The most important point is, how we can get at it to do it best. In a paper by Mr. Cole, our worthy treasurer, read before the Phila- delphia Library Club, and published, as their Occasional Papers, No. 3, he refers to the future of cataloging in the year 2000 ; fancies himself visiting the capital city of the state, and telling what great results have been ac- complished. The not altogether Utopian scheme that he there suggests, it seems to me, 's a good one to adopt as the foundation for our list. He imagines that at that time library science has reached such a degree that the headquarters of the work are at a State Bureau of Public Libraries, and the catalog of all the libraries of the state is prepared there ; be- ginning with the library that has the largest number of books, making its catalog complete. NELSOA r . sending that catalog to the next largest library, and letting it add titles of the books it has which the largest library has not ; and so on down. Of course, each library has very much less to do than the others preceding it, because it simply has to add titles which the preceding libraries have not. While the scheme does look Utopian, I am not sure, in view of the progress that the A. L. A. has caused to be made in library science in this country during the last twenty years, that that will not be ac- complished before the year 2000. Now if we at New York, through our Library Club, make up a list of all the American period- icals that we can find in the New York libraries we certainly will have a pretty good list. The club at Washington has undertaken to prepare a list of all the periodicals in the libraries at Washington. The New York Library Club soon after it was organized pub- lished in 1887 a Union list of the periodicals in the New York libraries, and that union list, although a number of years old, is very useful to-day in finding out where periodicals are to be found in the various libraries. We propose to begin in New York and make as full a list as we can, including all New England, send it to Washington and there have added all they can reach in their section, and then to other sections, and ask all interested to co-operate in giving us the titles of periodicals published in each region. With the co-operation of the different societies and clubs throughout the country, this plan, I think, can be made suc- cessful. In the older parts of the country, where the periodicals that were published a century or more ago are almost all destroyed, we have hopes of reaching them through the interested societies and the local organizations ; and many periodicals may doubtless be found which are now only in private libraries. Last year, in looking over pamphlets, etc., to bind, I came across several numbers of a little printed periodical published in New York, La France Litteraire, exactly the name that one might expect would occur in France for at least one or more periodicals. Here was a little thing published in French in New York, in 1833 and 1834. Whether we have all the numbers or not I cannot tell. I think we have. I never saw a copy of it before, and could not find it in any catalog. These are the things we want to find and bring together. One difficulty perhaps towards the end will be to secure a man for a general editor, be- cause it must require such a man to complete such a work. But we have had our Poole and we have our Fletcher, and we shall have the man. Possibly one of the larger libraries will furnish a man who will give part of his time to it. I shall be glad to hear expressions of opinion from those who feel any interest in this matter, and who are willing to offer help in connection with this work. We have not definitely laid out our scheme. Our commit- tee is composed of Mr. George Watson Cole, Mr. Aksel G. S. Josephson (quite an active, young, enthusiastic bibliographer in New York, and a great worker), Mr. Geo. H. Baker, Dr. E. C. Richardson, and the writer. We have received the best of encourage- ment from the Boston Book Company. It is well known how carefully they prepare their list of periodicals. They collate them all, and from their list one can know whether he has the whole of a set or not, as of Old and New, which expired in the middle of the year, or the Galaxy, which expired after publishing one number of its last year. The Boston Book Company have promised their list, and their careful work already done will be of great assistance in the work which we have under- taken. DENVER CONFERENCE. IMPROPER BOOKS: METHODS EMPLOYED TO DISCOVER AND EXCLUDE THEM.* BY THERESA H. WEST, LIBRARIAN, MILWAUKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY. /"PHE question of the definition of proper, or improper books, must necessarily be left to the decision of the management of the individual institution. Books eminently pro- per for the library of a great university, might be essentially improper in a library for the education of the general mass of the people. The underlying principle of my own selec- tion of books, for a library which is essentially for the people, is that books which speak truth concerning normal, wholesome conditions may be safely bought, however plain-spoken. While, on the other hand, books which treat of morbid, diseased conditions of the individ- ual man, or of society at large, are intended for the student of special subjects. Such are bought only after due consideration of the just relation of the comparative rights of students and general readers. The thought which our president's question suggested to my mind was that he intended to bring out the practical method which governed the course of selection. In our case at Milwaukee the first sieve by which we sift our purchases is the general reputation of the publishing houses. There are a number of houses which, in a long experience of book buying, we have come to trust. A book which is vouched for by one of them we take almost as a matter of course. Sometimes they betray us, it is true, but not often. A publishing house deliber- ately makes its choice of the clientage to which it chooses to appeal and, for the sake of its own reputation which is a large part of its stock in trade, it will not lightly depart from its traditions. Unless in the subject or title there is some indication of the need for care, we take with a comparative feeling of safety all the books which fall into our lines from certain houses. (I would gladly mention names, but it seems hardly proper to do so in this place. ) Equally so there are other houses whose reputation is such that we exclude their books unless they are proved worthy. Then it is a case of "Can good come out of Nazareth?" The reputation of the authors also does, of course, weigh with us, but it is a much more difficult test to apply. Books are sent by our agent on approval ; and a new book, especially a novel, by a new publishing house and by a new author, is sub- jected to personal examination by the librarian or one of the heads of departments. Books which one would rather not have bought do creep into every library. So far, we have in such cases, simply placed a mark in such books which is known only to the attendants, and such books are never offered to people. This is a step made necessary by the practice, common in this library, of keeping upon the counter in the delivery department a selection of novels from which any one may choose. Tabooed books are given to those only who ask definitely for them, and are accompanied with an explanation of their character. Such books are not given out to children or young people at all, unless upon written request of parent or guardian. All this taboo question, however, is treated quietly, with as little ad- vertisement as possible. The constant effort is to decrease the possi- ble use of weak or immoral books by increas- ing the use of those known to be wholesome, interesting, and sound. In short, when we find " a good thing we push it along ! " * A series of papers upon the precautions exercised to avoid the selection of undesirable books ; and the treatment of those found objectionable after purchase. Other persons were expected to contribute to this discussion but were either absent or unable to pre- pare papers in season for presentation. CLARK. 33 IMPROPER BOOKS. BY GEORGE T. CLARK, LIBRARIAN, SAN FRANCISCO FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. TN thinking of this matter of improper books I have been reminded of the definition given by a certain professor, who asked his class in botany to tell him what a weed was. No one being ready to respond, he informed them that a weed was "the right thing in the wrong place." The wild flowers which in springtime clothe the hillsides in variegated hues add beauty to the landscape and afford the naturalist materials for interesting re- searches. Comparison of the flora of different countries at the same period, or of the same country during different epochs supplies impor- tant data in the life history of the earth. But these same wild flowers springing up in the corn field, are regarded simply as weeds which must be eradicated without delay. Similarly, there are many books which, in their proper places, may serve a good and useful purpose, but which under other condi- tions may exert a most baleful influence. In order, then, to determine what books are im- proper we must take into consideration the character and functions of the library for which they are intended, and the purpose they are supposed to serve. Is the institution a college, subscription, society, or free public library ? Are the funds at its disposal suffi- cient to warrant buying liberally of all kinds of books, or are they in that not infrequent state which compels the exercising of a rigid selective process, and limits the purchases to absolute necessities? All these are questions which must be taken into consideration in fixing the standard which shall determine the fitness or unfitness of books. What, then, shall be the standard for a pub- lic library maintained by revenues derived from taxation ? To determine this, we must arrive at some definite idea as to the proper functions of public libraries. Why has the State enacted laws under which holders of property are compelled to pay taxes for the support of such institutions ? It is expected that a public library will contribute to the general welfare of the people, and be an insti- tution which shall exert an elevating influence 5 on the community. In fact, that it shall assist in the education of the people and the making of good citizens. Unless it does exercise these functions, what justice is there in mak- ing it a burden on the taxpayers ? What right has it to exist ? The theory that a library is primarily an educational institution is quite generally ac- cepted. Being such, the books purchased for for it must be of such a character that it shall be enabled to perform the functions of such an institution. In addition to the strictly edu- cational features, however, it is conceded that a library may well provide the means for health- ful recreation. In so doing, it promotes the welfare of the community and fulfils one of the objects of its being. The duties of those having the selection of books would seem, then, to be quite plainly outlined. The books should either be capable of adding to the general store of knowledge, of exercising some bene- ficial influence upon the mind, or of providing wholesome amusement or recreation. The establishment of such a standard would exclude many of the books now issuing in such a constant stream from the press. Some of these, for a short time, have great popularity, especially if they are sensational or contain between their covers matters that will not bear discussion in good society. The librarian may find it difficult to resist the popular demand sure to follow for books widely advertised and much talked about. When the book is decidedly bad his course is clear, but more perplexing are those books having the negative merit of not being posi- tively harmful, but which absorb the time and attention that might well be turned in a bet- ter direction. It is claimed by some that it is the duty of the public library to supply the books the people want ; but a little thought will show the fallacy of such claims. That would be a strangely governed household wherein the children had only to express a desire to have it gratified. It is also urged that books by such writers as Braeme, South worth, and 34 DENVER CONFERENCE. Stephens, have a place in the public library be- cause of their drawing qualities ; that they at- tract a certain class of readers which otherwise would remain away, and that after a time, these readers will have absorbed such literature to the point of saturation, and can then be induced to take something of a higher order. But it is doubtful whether better results could not be attained by other methods without such a waste of means. By supplying such books, a library fosters the taste that craves them, and increases the demand. Those administering a public library have a higher duty to perform than merely to follow in the wake of the passing fancies of the popular mind. It is much easier to follow than to lead, but they must bear in mind their responsibilities to future generations as well as the present. The value of the library, depending on the character of its contents, is lessened by every worthless book that goes upon the shelves. Its future value, therefore, depends largely on the wisdom of its management during the present. Now, having fixed a standard in our minds, how are we to decide as to what books come up to it ? Life is too short and the books too numerous to permit a personal examina- tion in all cases. Evidently we must rely upon the judgment of others to aid us in separating the wheat from the chaff". I will briefly explain the method pursued in the institution with which I am associated. All purchases are under the supervision of a book committee consisting of five members of the Board of Trustees. It may be well to state that under the existing law the term of a trustee of this library is for life, and the com- position of the committees remains practically unchanged from year to year. The chairman of the book committee is a gentleman of broad culture and of great liberality in his views. He is a graduate of Harvard, and served for a brief term as president of our State Univer- sity. Among the other members of the com- mittee are a justice of the Supreme Court, a well-known writer, and the principal of one of our public schools. At their monthly meetings these gentlemen consider the items recommended for purchase by the librarian, or in other ways brought to their attention. They are very discriminating, and consider carefully the merits of the books proposed, and the relative need for them. The order-lists, as made up, include only the approved items. The librarian is expected to be informed on current publications, and to know something about a book before recom- mending it. In addition to the formal orders made up in this manner, there are purchased each month books on what we term "the hundred-dollar list." The book committee has at its com- mand the sum of $100 per month for the purchase of late publications which it is de- sirable to obtain without unnecessary delay. The books on these lists are selected in the following manner : The librarian makes a monthly visit to the four leading book stores in the city, and after looking over the stock selects as many of the desirable books as can be purchased without exceeding the limit. With the breadth of a continent between us and the leading publishing centres, there are many books which never find their way to the counters of the local dealers unless specially ordered, and during dull seasons the supply from which to select is meagre. It may hap- pen that one month not more than $50 worth can be purchased, but this is offset by buying $150 worth some month when there is a better stock to choose from. The books thus selected are then sent to the library subject to the approval of the book committee. It sometimes happens that their judgment and the librarian's do not coincide, in which case the book goes back to the dealer. Buying in this manner, before the books have been on the market long enough for much to be known about them, and before the critics have had time to assign them to their proper places, there is a chance to go astray. We endeavor to keep on the safe side, however, by confining our selections to those of which we can feel sure, leaving doubtful books until more is known of them. Of course, with a system like this, it is im- possible to have new books ready for circula- tion on the day of their publication, or on the one following. We cannot accommodate those who consider it a duty to read all the latest novels. They must rely upon the sub- scription libraries and the book stores. But we do endeavor to add to our shelves each year, just as many books of permanent value as our funds allow, and to acquire them as ex- peditiously as circumstances permit. We are LARNED. 35 trying to build up a library that shall not be strong in some classes at the expense of weak- ness in others, but one that shall be symmet- rical in all its parts, with possibly a special emphasis on some features which under exist- ing conditions may be entitled to greater con sideration. It is our aim to foster a desire for good literature, and we endeavor 'to make such literature available to all. IMPROPER BOOKS. BY J. N. LARNED, SUPERINTENDENT, BUFFALO LIBRARY. T T OW to deal in a public library with books of a doubtful character, morally, and with books offensive to considerable classes of readers, is a very delicate question, and it is one which needs to be carefully discussed. In my own opinion, it is important that every possible effort should be made, in the manage- ment of a public library, to avoid the appear- ance of an assumption of arbitrary censorship over the literature supplied to its readers. Selection there must be, of course. No library, not even the richest, can supply all books, and necessarily it is by somebody's choice that the supply in each case is brought within the means which the library commands. In the making of that choice a certain legiti- mate and proper censorship is exercised, by which a large majority, perhaps, of the books now in question may be excluded. The judgment of exclusion in those cases is one which challenges no strong opposition of opinion, nor arbitrarily settles any nice dispute in morals or in literary taste. It is that chal- lenge even the appearance of it, and that assumption even the suspicion of it, that I would have every library avoid as far as it may be possible to do so. There are many books belonging to current literature, as well as books that come from coarser times in the past, about which it is clear enough that they should not be put into common circulation by a public library, but which possess, nevertheless, enough of a liter- ary quality, or enough of historical import- ance, to give them some claim, more or less, to a place upon its shelves. I am disposed to think that the right attitude towards books of this class, in our library management, is one that will cast responsibility for the possession and use of them, as far as may be, on the pub- lic for whom the library is maintained. I mean by that : (i) that a distinct pressure of considerable demand should be waited for before such books are bought, but that it will not often be right or wise to offensively resist such a demand ; (2) that no book of the kind should be given to any adult reader without distinct information as to the character it bears. I take for granted that no library will issue doubtful books to minors, and what I say has reference to the policy of dealing with the wants of adults. In the case of one recent book for which many applications were made in our library, I have been trying the experiment of sending a circular note to each applicant, briefly de- scribing its character and saying that I am not willing the book should go into the hands of any reader without clear knowledge of what it is. The result has been to cancel a large part of the requests for the book, while those who read it take on themselves the whole respon- sibility in doing so. It seems to me that a general policy of dealing with such books may be framed on the principle indicated in this experiment. DENVER CONFERENCE. IMPROPER BOOKS. BY WILLIAM H. BRETT, LIBRARIAN, CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY. T REGARD this question of the exercise of a proper supervision over the purchase and selection of books for the library as one of the most serious, probably the most diffi- cult, of the many important questions with which we have to deal. In looking over the field when selecting books for the library I think they fall naturally, in the eyes of the librarian, into three classes : those which he selects, those which he simply omits, and those which he absolutely excludes. Now the question of the propriety of placing a book in the library might possibly be broader than that which was probably in- tended in stating the question by the program committee. There are, as we all know, many books published every year on economics, politics, and other important subjects which, adjudged by opinions that are now accepted, are utterly worthless. But, at the same time, there is in those fields such a diversity, such a contrariety of opinions that we may well be very careful about excluding books because they differ from the opinions which are ac- cepted now. We must remember that the cranky idea of to-day may possibly be the ac- cepted belief to-morrow ; so that there are none of those books that we, perhaps, should absolutely exclude. It is only when we come to books which affect the question of morals, the question of conduct, that we feel that we have the right to draw the line of exclusion ; that we will have therein the support of right-thinking people, no matter what their religious opinions may be, no matter what their belief or lack of be- lief. We are all practically united on what constitutes right living. Matthew Arnold says that conduct is three-fourths of life ; yet, con- duct is but the working out into life of what a man thinks, and what he believes, and this is moulded largely by what he reads. Among the books which influence opinion >nd mould belief, are many which are classed as fiction, and it is largely in that class that the line of exclusion will be drawn. I listened with great interest to Miss West^s exposition of the methods of selection em- ployed in the public library at Milwaukee. We, too, have been employing methods simi- lar to those which are followed in many libraries. The publishers' names do give great weight to books. There are books we accept simply because they have the im- print of a publishing house in which we have confidence. The reputation of the author, the character of his previous writings is consid- ered, also. I have, at times, been much puzzled to de- cide whether it was best to include books, in themselves unobjectionable, but written by authors whose work in the main is objection- able. I can think, now, of two or three stories which are pure and beautiful, but written by an author much of whose work seems likely to be harmful. Is it worth while to introduce such an author to our young people ? Is it not to be feared that they may pursue the ac- quaintance to their own detriment ? I believe that we have a perfect right to ex- clude from our shelves books which seem likely to prove harmful, no matter with what reputation as classics they come to us. I think we have a right to judge these books and exclude them, just exactly as we do books of the day. It is possible that the rule which Miss West applies to her selection might exclude some books which have been in the last year or two very popular ; books which do not bear direct- ly on the question of morals, but which cer- tainly describe conditions that are not normal and healthful. Now I hesitate, but I think I will venture to name "Ships that pass in the night " as a type of the class which I mean. I do not believe that we should exclude this book from the library, but it is certainly a book which does not describe normal conditions. I have been trying to recall this afternoon a story that I heard or read long ago, of some eastern prince ; possibly some one else may re- member it better than I do. It speaks of the danger which oriental monarchs incurred from the arts of the poisoner, and tells of one who WIRE. 37 had a talisman given him as a safeguard. At his banquets, when the wine-cup was handed to him he touched it with this talisman. If the wine was pure it remained clear, if poisoned it became turbid. If we had such a talisman as that which we could apply to the books that are offered us I am sure that some books which come to us with very fair names would become turbid at its touch, and others that we inspect more rigidly might stand the test. The only substitute we can have for such a talis- man is good common sense. MEDICAL BOOKS FOR SMALL PUBLIC LIBRARIES. BY DR. GEORGE E. WIRE, SUPT., MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY, CHICAGO. T N building up my department, which now numbers 22,000 volumes, I have naturally learned much of the popular as well as the scientific side of medical literature. It has occurred to me, therefore, that the question of medical books in small public libraries would be a profitable subject for discussion, and to it I invite your attention. There are at least two general views of the position a public library, rate supported, ought to take in furnishing books. One is, that being a free library supported by taxation it should not furnish books for special students, as law- yers, physicians, or clergymen. Another view takes the opposite side,and claims that it should supply all the books asked for, along certain lines. I am inclined to the former view and, unless a library has a special fund or the books are given by some friend, I do not believe it is the duty of the library to furnish those books. Even when the library has attained the size of 50,000 or 100,000 volumes, I should be op- posed to such action. Let the physicians fol- low the example of the lawyers and establish their own libraries. I know of no public library (leaving out state libraries) which at- tempts to keep up a law department, but there are several that are trying to keep up a medi- cal department. Medical books are neces- sarily high-priced, technical in character, and obviously unfit for general circulation or even general hall use. But there are a few standard books which every small library should have ; and then a number of smaller, semi-popular books, which may be profitably put into even so small a library as one of 5,000 volumes. Taking this as the basis and allowing one per cent, will give us 50 volumes, which surely will not be too large a proportion of such works for the library. I condemn unreservedly all "family doctors," "guides to health," etc., and would not have any of them in such a library. They are written down to the supposed comprehen- sion of the laity and are liable to do more harm than good. I favor putting in a few reference books, mainly of dictionary form ; and then a few standard works on anatomy and physiology for reference, and filling up the list with books not too valuable to circulate. Of course, it would be impossible in a library of that size, to give even one representative book in each school of medicine in the various branches of materia medica, therapeutics, practice of med- icine, surgery, etc., to say nothing of phar- macy, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. Consequently the list which I now give does not attempt that, and I do not expect it will meet with approval of the physicians ; I wish it distinctly understood that it is not made up for them, but for the librarians. In the following list I have made notes con- cerning some of the books, as will be seen : GOULD, G. M. An illustrated dictionary of medi- cine, biology, and allied sciences. Phil., Blakis- ton, 1894. leather, $10.00. This is the best and latest one-volume book. It has many useful tables and appendices. I call especial attention to one giving personal names of diseases, injuries, and operations, which is of great value. LEIDY, Joseph. An elementary treatise on human anatomy, ad ed. Phil., Lippincott, 1889. cloth, $4-00. This work is compact, scientifically written, and thoroughly reliable. If something more popular is wanted, the following will be found useful : DENVER CONFERENCE. BUTTON, George. Anatomy, scientific and popular, ad ed. Bost., Cynosure Pub. Co., 1892. (No price given, but probably, in half leather, about $4.00.) The illustrations are from standard works and the text is accurate, clear, and concise, and written in easy style. WALLER, A. D. An introduction to human physi- ology. 2d ed. N. Y., Longmans, 1893. cloth, $4.00. This is scientific and accurate, but not too scientific for such a library, and would rank with Leidy. MARTIN, H. N. The human body. (American Science Series.) N. Y., Holt, 1881. cloth, $2.75. As- a more popular work, to rank with But- ton, this will be found useful. Has a supple- mentary chapter which may be had separately, I believe. QUAIN, Richard, editor. A dictionary of medicine, including general pathology, general therapeutics, hygiene, and the diseases peculiar to women and children; by various writers. New ed., revised, with an American appendix. 2v. N. Y., 1894. half mor., $15.00. This book is exactly what it professes to be, a dictionary of practice of medicine, and not a medical dictionary ; and it gives all that is really needed on those subjects. In surgery, I follow the same plan as in medicine and recommend the following : HEATH, Christopher, editor. Dictionary of practical surgery, by various British hospital surgeons. 2V. in i. Phil., Lippincott, 1886. cloth, $7. 50; sheep, $8.50. I believe a new edition is coming out in England. This book gives, in language as untechnical as can be employed, all that the casual reader needs. On general nursing, the latest and best book is the following : HAMPTON, Isabel A. Nursing ; its principles and practice. 2d ed. Phil., W. B. Saunders, 1894. cloth, $2.00. Still good, although not quite up to date, is this work : WEEKS, C. S. Text book of nursing. N. Y., Ap- pleton, c. 1885. cloth, $1.75. Blakiston and Lippincott both publish vari- ous books on special kinds of nursing which may be bought if needed. For reference, take The Trained Nurse, monthly, $2.00 a year, (New York). This gives much valuable in- formation in the course of the year and does away with the necessity of having a large number of books on the subject. It is one of the best edited and brightest periodicals with which I am acquainted. I would also recommend for reference : BILLINGS, J.S.,arfHURD, A. M., editors. Hospitals, dispensaries, and nursing ; papers and discussions in the International Congress of Charities, Cor- rections, and Philanthropy, Section 3, Chicago, 1893. Bait., Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 1894. cloth, $5.00. This is a veritable mine of information on all the subjects named in the title. Closely allied to nursing is massage, and I give two good books on the subject : KLEEN, Emil. Handbook of Massage. Tr. by E. M. Hartwell. Phil., Blakiston, 1892. cloth, $2.75. OsTROM, K. W. Massage, and the original Swedish movement, ad ed. Phil., Blakiston, 1894. cloth, $1.00. The subject of hygiene, personal and public, is one in which all libraries should be partic- ularly interested. At least one good period- ical should be taken for reference. The San- itarian, monthly, $4.00 a year (New York), is the best monthly published in this country, devoted to general hygiene. "Abstracts of Sanitary Reports" is published weekly by the Marine Hospital Service, Washington, D. C., and is sent free on application. This con- tains official information about quarantine, and also gives the vital statistics of the United States and other countries. The health reports of one's own state can be secured on application, and doubtless those of contiguous states. Some of the states seem to specialize in their reports. For instance : Massachusetts and New York are inclined to investigate questions of water supply. Mas- sachusetts has published a special report, in two volumes, on water examination and anal- ysis, written by experts. It is the most ex- haustive work on the subject written and pub- lished in this country. New York, also, in the later reports takes up the question of the purity of the Croton water, and the protection of the water-shed and reservoirs from filth. Michigan is inclined to disseminate information on pub- lic health, and has a series of Sanitary Con- ventions held three or four times a year at different points in the stale and reported sep- arately. Michigan, too, has but lately taken up the fight against tuberculosis as an infec- tious disease. Minnesota pays special atten- tion to infectious diseases. Illinois is the one agency which has done more to raise the standard of medical education than any other ; and in the Conspectus of Medical Education WIRE. 39 in the United States, of which a new edition comes out every year or so, will be found a succinct history of every medical college in the country. Tennessee publishes a monthly bulletin which besides giving local statistics has usually some good general information on public hygiene. STEVENSON, Thomas, and MURPHY, S. F. A treat- ise on hygiene and public health. 3v. Phil., Blakiston, 1892-94. $17.00. Vols. 1-2 are $12.00, and can be bought separately. This is an exhaustive and valuable work of reference, and saves buying several smaller reference books. It treats all the essentials of private and personal hygiene, clothing, foods, dwellings, and drainage ; and the section on infectious diseases, with the numerous bacteri- ological plates, is especially valuable. Vol. 3 is not so necessary as vols. 1-2, being entirely devoted to the health and lunacy legislation of Great Britain. As a complete one-volume work on public hygiene, not too large or valuable to circulate and yet good for reference, I would recom- mend : ROHE, George H. Text-book of hygiene ; a compre- hensive treatise upon the principles and practice of preventive medicine from an American stand- point. 3d ed. Phil., F. A. Davis, 1894. cloth, $3.00. On personal hygiene, I would recommend : MORRIS, Malcolm, editor. Book of Health. 3d ed. N. Y., Cassell, 1884. cloth, $5.00. I can recommend for circulation the entire series of Health Primers, (N.Y., Appleton, 40 cents each). There are nine volumes in this series, and, although small, they give all that is necessary on many subjects. A late and reliable work on personal hygiene is: YORKE-DAVis, N. E. Health and condition in the active and sedentary. N. Y., Stokes, 1895. cloth, $2.00. Some of the school hygienes are excellent works while many are not. The following is a late one and has much originality : EDWARDS, J. F. Hygiene with anatomy and physi- ology. N. Y., Catholic School Book Company, 1895. cloth, $2.00. There are two divisions of hygiene foods, and exercise, where more books will be of use than in some other divisions. I give a selection of titles in each class : BLYTHE, A. W. Foods ; their composition and analysis. Lond., 1877. (N. Y., Scribner's Im- portations.) cloth, $6.40. FOTHERGILL, J. Milner. Manual of dietetics. N. Y., Wood, 1886. cloth, $2.50. THOMPSON, Sir Henry. Food and feeding. 8th ed. N. Y., Warne, N". D., p. 1884. cloth. $1.25. YEO, G. F. Food in health and disease. Phil., Lea Bros. , N. D. cloth, $2.00. Of books on exercise and physical educa- tion the library can afford to have for circula- tion at least a dozen of these inexpensive manuals. I mean a dozen good ones ; not such as are published by cheap houses and com- plied by hack writers, but those written by able and responsible men and women : BlSSELL, Mary T. Physical development and exer- cise for women. N. Y., Dodd, Mead & Co., (Portia series) 1891. cloth, $1.25. GALBRAITH, Anna M. Hygiene and physical cul- ture for women. N. Y., Dodd, Mead & Co., 1895. cloth, $1.75. BLAIKIE, William. How to get strong and how to stay so. N. Y., Harper, 1879. cloth, $1.00. CHECKLEY, Edwin. Natural method of physical training. New, rev. ed. Brooklyn, Bryant, 1892. cloth, $1.50. KNAUFF, Theo. C. Athletics for physical culture. N. Y., Tait, 1894. cloth, $2.00. MACLAREN, Archibald. Physical education. New ed. Oxford, Clarendon Press. (N. Y., Macmil- lan), 1895. cloth, $2.50. PROCTOR, R. A. Strength: how to get strong and how to keep strong. N. Y., Longmans, 1889. cloth, 7c. THORNTON, J. P. Training for health, strength, speed, and agility. N. Y., Excelsior Pub. House, 1890. cloth, $1.00. Of those named, Bissell, and Galbraith, are partly popular and technical ; Checkley, Maclaren, and Thornton, are technical ; Blaik- ie, Knauff, and Proctor, are rather more popu- lar. Maclaren, is the most scientific of all, being a complete drill-book for the gymnasium. In closing I give a number of miscellaneous works, nearly all popular or semi-popular, on various subjects : READE, H. H. Study of stimulants in relation to intellectual life. Manchester, 1883. cloth, 3/6. DOWSE, E. S. Brain and nerve, and on the exhaus- tions of influenza. Lond., Bailliere,i892. cloth, 2/6. MITCHELL, S. Weir. Doctor and patient. Phil., Lippincott, 1894. $1.50. Fat and blood. 3d ed. Phil., Lippincott, 1894. $1.50. Wear and tear ; or, hints for the overworked, 5th ed. Phil., Lippincott, 1894. $1.00. DAY, W. H: Headaches; their nature, causes and treatment. 4th ed. Lond., Churchill, 1888. cloth, 7/6. FOTHERGILL, J. Milner. Diseases of sedentary and advanced life. N. Y., Appleton, 1885. cloth, $2.00. BEALE, Lionel S. Slight ailments. 3d. ed. Phil., Blakeston, 1890. cloth, $1.25. TYNDALL, John. Floating matter of the air in rela- tion to putrefaction and infection. N. Y., Ap- pleton, 1892. cloth, $1.50. WOODHEAD, G. S. Bacteria and their products. (Contemporary Science Series.) London, Scott, 1892. (N. Y., Scribner's Importations), cloth, $1-25. PRUDDKN, T. M. Drinking water and ice supplies and their relation to health and disease. N. Y., Putnam's, 1891. cloth, 750. DENVER CONFERENCE. VALUE OF LOCAL HISTORY IN A PUBLIC LIBRARY. BY MINERVA A. SANDERS, LIBRARIAN, FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY, PAWTUCKET, R. I. TN reply to the question, "What is the prac- tical value of a collection oflocal history in a library?" I wish to give an illustration of its value in one instance. In considering a subject for the graduating exercises for the summer term of the grammar grades of the public schools of Pawtucket, Rhode Island was suggested ; but where was the material? Naturally, the librarian was consulted. While we knew that we had his- tory, biography, some literature, and a few speeches, it did not seem to be at first thought a rich mine to explore. But when we had col- lected all matter, bound and unbound, bearing upon the state, or written by native authors, and had marked selections for declamation, and subjects for essays and sketches, we found a greater difficulty in utilizing so much mater- ial. The more so that while the work of se- lection was in progess we recived a valuable collection of Rhode Island books and pamph- lets, historical, political, literary, educational, and social, numbering nearly eight hundred. The library was made the headquarters, and after weeks of reading and selecting, the follow- ing program was arranged , each number either directly bearing upon the state, or written by a native author. Theme, RHODE ISLAND. Our State. "She fills but a small space upon the country's map, but the deeds of her sons in field and council fill a large space in the country's history." Chorus. Patriot sons of patriot sires. D .. .. ( a. Rhode Island's gift. Recitation.- j b Rhode Island s Essay. The life and influence of Roger Williams. Recitation. The banishment of Roger Williams. Recitation. What Cheer! Chorus. Evening bells. Essay. The development of Rhode Island under the Royal Charter. Declamation. Mount Hope. Essay. Rhode Island during the Revolution. Recitation. Dorothy's Hollow. Recitation. The romance of a rose. Essay. Rhode Island's influence since the Revolu- tion. Chorus Battle hymn of the Republic. Essay. Rhode Island's progress in industries and education. Chorus Great western land. (Both words and music by native authors.) Declamation. Eulogy on Henry Wilson. Large charcoal sketches of places and events of historic interest, finely executed by the pupils were hung around the hall, com- prising The 'flag of New England used during the administration of Sir Edmund Andros. The coat of arms of Rhode Island. The church of Roger Williams. The burning of the Gaspee. The old mill at Newport. The old Ballou meeting-house at Smithfield. Pawtucket Falls in 1789. Pawtucket Falls in 1895. The Governor and other prominent officials were on the platform beneath the state flag. As the story of the state was told from its settlement, its charter, its colonial struggles, its Indian wars ; as its educational progress was shown from its three private schools, to its present grand system embracing over one- thousand public schools ; as its industries were brought out, from its fisheries and ship building, its hand-spinning and weaving, its first cotton mill, to its extensive manufactur- ing interests of to-day, it was a marvel to all who listened that we could so long have lived, and have known so little of our own state; and when the glorious "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (written by our own Julia Ward Howe) was sung, the enthusiasm knew no bounds. Even had this been all, we should have seen the practical value of a collection of local history; for the amount of reading done by the teachers, the librarian, and pupils in the preparation of the exercises was invaluable. The essays developed thought worthy of college graduates. It did not end here ; all through the summer vacation there has been scarcely a day when, some of the pupils were not poring over the Rhode Island collection. The interest thus awakened continues, and we can no longer regard a collection of local history in a library as simply " a reserve supply for journalists, and antiquarians, and Fourth of July orators." HOPKINS. A HANDBOOK OF LIBRARY ECONOMY. BY ANDERSON H. HOPKINS, ASSISTANT, MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY. A HANDBOOK of library economy such as ** that contemplated in this paper bids fair to be a labor of love, at least in the beginning of whatever history it may be destined to have. Therefore, it seems especially meet that any such project should come up in this assembly for consideration and discussion before too much labor has been expended thereupon, lest it might prove to be labor both loved and lost. The essential form of a handbook of library economy has materially changed in the last half-century. It is interesting as well as in- stuctive to turn back to that monument of pa- tient industry, Edward Edwards' Memoirs of Libraries : Including a Handbook of Library Economy, or to Reuben A. Guild's The Libra- rian's Manual, or to William J. Rhees' Manual of Public Libraries . . . of North America, and compare their aims and ideals with those of that latest excellent little manual titled Public Library Handbook, Denver, for which Mr. J. C. Dana and his able staff both deserve and receive so great credit. This more modern idea is exemplified in a number of manuals of recent date. Mr. Fletcher, in his Public Libraries in America, Miss Plummer, in her Hints to Small Libraries, and Mr. Dana, in his Public Library Handbook, have each addressed somewhat different con- stituencies and have done so from somewhat different viewpoints. Still the field does not seem too fully occupied, however excellent these manuals, and "good wine needs no bush." The idea of a handbook, which perhaps might better be called a dictionary, has had lodging-place in my mind for a number of years and some work in elaboration of the idea has been done. With the hope that the enu- meration, or mention, of a few of the ele- ments, or features, of the plan would call forth suggestions and criticisms leading to the further elaboration of the idea, I have ventured to bring the subject before you to-day. The same idea was briefly shadowed forth last year at the Lake Placid Conference by Mr. J. C. 6 Dana. In the Proceedings of the Sixth Session (see Library Journal, 19^153) he is reported to have said : "I would like to refer to the Publishing Section the question of the possibility of the Association's compiling, within a few years, a dictionary of library economy. This would not be exactly the book which is to be pub- lished by the Bureau of Education, nor would it be a library handbook. It would be arranged on some such plan as that admirable dictionary of electricity you are all familiar with, giving briefly, each under its proper entry, directions in regard to the minor details as well as the more important subjects in library work." From this I take it that Mr. Dana's idea is that of a handbook in the form of a dictionary to which all kinds of inquirers may be referred. At any rate my notion takes some such shape as that. Many an overworked cataloger has sighed from out the depths of his weariness : "Oh if there were only some book which would give the full name, with date of birth and of death of all writers, how happy I'd be ! " And the reference-clerk has amended the wish by in- serting in the place of the words "all writers" the single word "everybody." That is to say, each has keenly felt the need of a reliable starting-point in looking up a subject within his particular province. The novice in library economy (and he isn't always entirely a novice either) often feels the same keen need of a starting-point in his work. Now the question arises how far may a handbook of library economy arranged in the form of an encyclo- pedic dictionary serve the purpose ? There has been accumulated in the Library Journal, and various other periodical publica- tions and treatises both large and small, a vast body of what has, aptly enough, been called "library doctrine ;" but there exists no ade- quate key to unlock this storehouse. Often- times it is no small trouble, even for one who is well trained in such work, to search out a desired best ruling ; consequently it is often DENVER CONFERENCE. much easier for an untrained man to make a ruling, which " will do for the time," than to search out and find the best. The result is not difficult to foresee. To what extent might an encyclopedic dictionary obviate this diffi- culty ? The art of library management has been growing apace of late years and its terminol- ogy, together with that of its allied arts, such as publishing, printing, and bookbinding, has become large and is daily growing larger, with the result that many of the terms are strange even to well-informed librarians. For a simple instance : how many practical librarians present at this session chance to know the exact mean- ing of the term "onion-paper," or the use of the article itself, or where quickly to find out either the one thing or the other. Yet such paper is, or ought to be, in daily use in any much-frequented library. These are a few of the difficulties which it seems not unlikely an encyclopedic dictionary of library economy might largely help to over- come. It seems unnecessary to detail others because there are many which will at once sug- gest themselves to the thought of experienced librarians ; as, for example, the readiness with which comparison may be made between sys- tems or methods ; and again, the delightful ease with which inexperienced inquirers may be satisfied, as opposed to the present slow process. Judging from such examination as I have thus far been able to give the subject, the letters of the alphabet will average somewhere between thirty and forty words apiece, exclusive of cross-references. This means that such a dictionary as is here contemplated would con- tain about one thousand articles arranged alphabetically by subjects, besides a consider- able number of cross-references. These articles would naturally vary greatly in length and method of treatment according to the subject. Many would be very brief; others would cover several pages ; some would be tabular. In addition to the aforementioned entries such a dictionary should contain a carefully prepared, and perhaps annotated, bibliogra- phy. This bibliography might well be detailed and form an appendix to the work ; each arti- cle in the bibliography being numbered in such manner that when referred to in the body of the work only the number need be given, a special type-face serving to make the reference entirely clear. By this means, and merely by the order of arrangement of the numbers, it would be an easy matter for the compiler to express a judgment as to the relative merit of the works cited. For example, suppose in the article on book- binding it were desired to cite Brassington, Crane, Cundall, Nicholson, Prideaux, Thoinan, and Zaehnsdorf. Each of these titles should have its proper annotation in the bibliography at the end of the dictionary and be duly num- bered there. When referred to in the article on bookbinding the number only would be used, and the place in the article where the number appeared would depend upon the im- mediate subject of that part of the article. Certainly Prideaux might be cited under bibliography of the subject ; Thoinan, under biography of French binders ; Brassington, and Cundall, under the general history of the subject ; and so on through the list. Where two or more numbers were cited the order of citation would express a judgment of relative merit of the works cited. The value of this judgment after its expression is an altogether different matter and need not be discussed here. Perhaps the mention of a bibliography has brought to mind the question, what would be its best order of arrangement ? This is to me an unsolved puzzle. Suggestions would be very welcome. Such a bibliography would have a number of uses and the order which would best subserve one purpose would not, or at any rate might not, be at all convenient for another. My present inclination is toward a simple arrangement of the entire bibliogra- phy in one alphabet, with a careful index of subjects; but the question is too complicated to be settled hastily. The best indexing of such a work is another question upon which too much light has not yet been shed. Of course every one has in mind at once two notable examples : Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, and Larned's History for Ready Reference. These may be said to represent the two extremes of indexing methods, and are applied to works of great scope, but it is surely pertinent to ask which is the better method to apply to an encyclopedic dictionary of library economy ? RANCK. 43 NEED OF ADDITIONAL COPYRIGHT DEPOSITORIES. BY SAMUEL H. RANCK, ENOCH PRATT FREE LIBRARY, BALTIMORE. '""PHE period of the revival of learning and of ' the restoration to the world of the won- derful civilization and literature of Greece taught scholars to look backward, instead of forward, for the golden age of literature, of science, and of art. The literary works of the ancients were so precious that libraries were founded for collecting and hoarding them, and then it was that the worship of books was taught to men. The thought of the destruc- tion of the library of Alexandria, with all its reputed treasures, was an ever-present night- mare with the librarian of those days ; and under new conditions he still retained the old idea : he considered himself the keeper of books and of the knowledge and the light that may be found in them. The modern idea of the librarian is that of the distributer, rather than the keeper of books ; but the idea of the " keeper " is not entirely lost. Almost every librarian feels that he owes something to his successor and to the public of the future. He believes that he ought to preserve for them as complete a record as possible of every human activity the life and the work of the people of his day. In this view the library is a museum of civili- zation, accumulating and preserving the results of human progress or degeneration. Never- theless, the work of collecting and preserving is important, and many libraries are doing it for their communities, as far as it lies in their power ; but the larger the community and the greater the number of books, the more diffi- cult such a task becomes. Too many librarians, however, impressed with the importance of the work of collecting and preserving for the future, attempt to do too much. Libraries in the same community overlap each other in a way that is often wasteful ; and, on the other hand, they neglect to preserve matters of importance. Almost everything depends on the whims or tastes of the persons who, for the time, may happen to be in charge of the library. It seems that the time has come when libraries should have a very clear understanding of the work each one is to do in the line of collecting for pres- ervation. Many of our public libraries of a popular character add from five to fifteen thousand volumes every year, and they must do so to supply the demand for new books and to do the work they ought to do ; but how many of these books will be so much as even remem- bered by the most intelligent general reader one hundred years hence ? The library that continues buying ten thousand volumes a year for a century, and preserves them, as almost every library is now doing, will then have over a million books, a number that is exceeded by only two or three libraries in the world to-day. The expense of administration, and the in- terference of tens and hundreds of thousands of unused volumes, will force most of our libraries to carry only a working stock. These libraries must discriminate and they should not attempt to collect and preserve, except in very limited fields ; but there ought to be a few libraries whose particular work should be that of gathering and saving for the future. These few should have every opportunity of getting all the material within their field, so that they could be depended upon, for all time, to have everything within their intended limits. To show the need of systematic collection for preservation, to point out a method to insure a more reasonable degree of complete- ness and safety, and, at the same time, to make such a collection more accessible to the stu- dents of this and succeeding generations, is the purpose of this paper. Books of local interest and value are con- stantly published, but they do not get into the regular channels of the trade, and so they are lost to the libraries and to the future. This state of things must continue so long as present methods are followed. In how many states is there a library with anything like a complete collection of the books, not to mention news- papers, pamphlets, etc., published within, or 44 DENVER CONFERENCE. relating to, the state ? There is not a library in the state of Maryland where one-third of the several thousand books published within her borders before the civil war can be found. The same is true, I know, of other, and no doubt to some extent of all, the states. You may say that most of these books de- serve to be forgotten. It may be true, but nevertheless they were once a part of the life of the people. Do we believe that the census should enumerate only the "important" men of the nation ? As a record of the life of a people a complete collection of their books is fully as important as the enumeration and classification of every man, woman, and child. As no one can select the "important" people for the census returns, so no one can select the "important" books for a collection that must represent the intellectual life of the people : for we should be constantly repeating the experience of the critics who would have denied the earlier works of a Wordsworth, or a Byron, and many other great writers, when first their works appeared, a place on library shelves. The Constitution of the United States pro- vides that the Congress shall have power "to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times, to authors and in- ventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries." In accordance with this power our copy right laws have been passed. Such laws are wise, and they should apply to citizen and alien alike. These laws give the owner of the copyright a great monopoly, and one that increases in value with the growth of population, of general intelligence, and of libraries. Even now a publisher can safely count on disposing to libraries alone of a con- siderable edition of a very ordinary book ; and there is an ever growing demand for larger editions. To obtain this copyright the owner must pay a fee of one dollar and deposit two copies of the book in the Library of Congress (national library) at Washington all of which is very well as far as it goes. But our copyright law provides only one de- positor)' for the United States. On the other hand, an act of Parliament provides five for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and before the convenience and rapidity of travel by railroad there were eleven. The British law requires that a copy of every edition of a book must be delivered to the British Museum, "bound, stitched or sewed together, and upon the best paper on which the book is printed." Furthermore, "copies of every edition of every book published must, if demanded, be delivered to an officer of the Stationers' Company for each of the following libraries : the Bodleian Library, the Cambridge University Library, the Advocates' Library at Edinburgh, and the Library of Trinity College, Dublin." From this source, in 1893, as stated in the annual report, the Bodleian Library, Oxford, received 39,619 volumes. And now be it remembered that the area of Great Britain and Ireland exceeds the area of the single state of Colorado by less than 12,000 square miles Colorado contains 103,- 925. On the other hand, the population of the United States is nearly twice that of the British Isles. On the basis of population the United States should have, at the present time, ten depositories for the five of the British. Of the twenty or more political divisions of Europe, though only one exceeds the United States in the number of its inhabitants, a num- ber of them have more depositories. Again, the area of the United States (in- cluding Alaska) and the area of Europe are so nearly equal that the annexation of the sin- gle province of Ontario would make the two areas almost exactly the same. We are forced to believe that in the course of a few centuries, at the very most, the number of people in the United States will exceed the present number in Europe, about three hundred and fifty mil- lions, an average of one hundred per square mile. Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island already exceed this average the average per square mile in Massachusetts and Rhode Island being 278 and 276 respectively. One depository is not enough for such a vast num- ber of people, nor for such a large area. By the census of 1890 the center of popula- tion of the United States, is more than 450 miles, in an air line, west of Washington. For the past hundred years this center has been moving westward at the rate of five miles a year, and we know that for many years this westward movement must continue. You must travel twenty hours on the fastest express trains to reach Washington from the present center of population, and the geographic center RANCK. 45 of the country is westward of the National capital more than a journey of two days. Washington is too far removed from the masses of the people to be the only depository. Whilst there are a dozen or more languages in Europe, each with its own distinct literature, in the United States the English language is common to nearly all the people ; and, if pres- ent tendencies continue, the proportion of people in America who will express their thoughts in English, will be greater a hundred years hence than it is now. A great multitude of intelligent and educated people, speaking a common language, require more than one depository for the products of their intellectual life. Under the present arrangement the student of the history of California must cross the con- tinent if he wants to find all the copyrighted books that are now published in the State, or relating to it, and a hundred years hence his need to go to Washington will be even greater : for books have a curious way of disappearing. Can the national library at Washington assure the student of 1995 that all the books relating to California of to-day will be there ? Is it safe to risk everything in one place? A national library is subject to all the ordinary risks of any library, with the additional risk of loss by an act of war. We need only recall the history of our own national library, burned by the British in 1814, and Washington terrified by hostile armies during the civil war. The carefulness and foresight of ordinary business affairs demand that all should not be risked in one place. All these difficulties and dangers of a single depository can be overcome by an amendment to the law of copyright. The law should pro- vide for more depositories. How many more will be largely a matter of judgment. It should provide, first of all, that every state may be assured that it can get, within the state, a copy of every work that is copyrighted by one of its citizens. Where it should be deposited would be for each state legislature to decide the state library, the state historical society, or the library of the state university, suggest them- selves as proper places. To be sure, this would not bring into the state depository all the works relating to the state ; but it would bring very many of them, and especially those copyrighted works that are now most difficult or impossible to get. Though it would be difficult to enforce, and it is beyond the scope of national legislation, it would not be unreasonable for each state to require to be placed in the state depository a copy of every uncopyrighted book and pamph- let, together with representative newspapers and periodicals. When the intellectual needs of the country will demand more than the one additional de- pository for the works of each state (a time that is sure to come, if it is not already here), Congress can designate libraries in certain cities to receive all the works protected by the copyright law, thereby duplicating the collec- tion at Washington. Such additional deposi- tories should be selected with special reference to geographical location. Depositories in Chicago, New Orleans, Denver, and San Fran- cisco, in addition to the one now at Washington, would meet the needs of many generations of students. With depositories for the state collections and national depositories in the cities mentioned, seven copies of every book would be needed, which, in proportion to the present population, is three less than the num- ber required by the British copyright law. Even the little country of Portugal requires six copies. Of the advantages of these additional deposi- tories to the whole people, but more especially and directly to the students and authors of future generations, there can be no doubt ; and these advantages would increase every year. In some instances the demand for such extra copies would be a burden to the owner of the copyright or the publisher, as is the pres- ent law ; in others, it would be a positive gain ; and in the great majority of cases, a matter of little or no consequence. The details necessary to carry into effect the plan here outlined are not at all difficult ; and they will no doubt suggest themselves at once to those who would have its execution in charge. At all events, they should frighten no one. That a number of European countries have several depositories, and, also, that the Bodleian Library received through the copy- right law nearly forty thousand volumes in a single year, are facts that show that the plan is entirely feasible. 4 6 DENVER CONFERENCE. BEST METHOD OF CHANGING A SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY TO A FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. BY c. w. MCCLINTOCK, OIL CITY, PA. question, remaining unanswered at Lake Placid, is a very important and far- reaching one. The most usual methods are, by endowment, and by government aid. By the first, most of the large libraries have been built up and sus- tained. By the second, the admirable system of the State of New York inaugurated. The latter is, in my judgment, by far the better way, practically ; because the important point of selection of books is under the control of men and women amply competent, intel- lectually. The endowment plan ensures a vast aggre- gation of books, but has one great drawback, viz. : that while the trustees, as usually chosen, are men of integrity and high standing in their respective communities, they are apt to be retired merchants, doctors, etc. ; all very esti- mable gentlemen, but considerably fossilized ; believing their duty done when the funds intrusted to their care are safely invested, and they have appointed a buying committee, whose selections of books are not as carefully looked after as the cent per cent. Hence the mass of trash supplied at the call of a volatile public, who would be vastly better off without such mind-diseasers as Dodo, The Quick or the Dead, Green Carnation, Heavenly Twins, et id genus omne. Neither of these plans is the thing for sub- scription libraries in the smaller towns and cities. Having given this subject much thought, I find the difficulties in the way al- most insurmountable. . Within my knowledge, efforts have been made to interest a sufficient number of gentle- men to pledge a certain sum annually for a period of years, the total to be ample to pay expenses and purchase the necessary books. This was really what might be termed tem- porary endowment. The result was a failure, for, as librarians well know, the men of most small communities are not patrons of libraries, and I believe this evil prevails to some extent even in large cities. It was then thought the desired end might be reached by public entertainments, lectures, etc. This proved to be a very slight help towards the maintenance of a library. Again: contributions were solicited and well responded to ; but a very short time showed this method to be but a broken reed. Direct taxation was then considered and a canvass made of the voting population, to find nothing could be done in that way, for the average man is much more sensitive as to pocket than mind. Owing to the peculiar character of the people of our Commonwealth it was found impossible to secure such legislation as that of the Empire State, because Pennsylvania is a granger state in the most catholic sense of the word ; and the jealousy of the farmer for expected aggressions of the larger towns and cities stopped any action of this kind. After these various experiments had been tried and found wanting, it was thought the end could be reached by subsidizing the com- mon schools, making an appropriation for them exclusively. It was expected this plan would not be opposed by the farmers. Such proved to be the fact. An act was passed by the last legislature giving the schools the requisite assistance in establishing and carry- ing on free libraries. We all know that the rural mind, although slow, is generally free from the taints received from contact with large city life, and there- fore a sturdy, honest, God-fearing people is found in isolated communities. While few of these men and women are possessed of a com- plete education, there is little doubt that in carrying out the provisions of this law, made especially for their benefit, they will see to it that the rocket-stick kind of literature, so freely issued, will be rigidly excluded. As yet this plan is but an experiment, which I believe will ultimately settle this important matter for the state of Pennsylvania. These libraries, established under this act, will ultimately absorb the struggling subscrip- tion institutions and, being under the manage- PROCEEDINGS. 47 ment of persons intellectually and morally competent, the consolidation will ensure to old and young that comprehensive and ex- tended education so necessary at present. Modifications and improvements may be found important, but the finality will give us a sys- tem even better than the traveling libraries of New York. It seems to me that legislation to this end must be varied and such as is needed in each of the states, respectively. It is very clear, by our experience, that a law covering the ground and adapted to the state of New York would not do for Pennsylvania ; and one good for us might be found useless in Virginia, or Texas. The A. L. A. has an extensive and untilled field of enormous possibilities, right here ; and the practical knowledge of its members will surely enable it to point out the best method or methods to be pursued, by each and all of the sisterhood of states of the American Union. THE PROCEEDINGS. DENVER AND COLORADO SPRINGS, AUGUST 13-16, AND 21, 1895. FIRST SESSION. (CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 13.) President H. M. UTLEY called the meeting to order at 11.30 A. M. C: R. DUDLEY, librarian of the City Library, introduced Hon. T : S. McMURRAY, mayor of Denver, who made an address of welcome. President UTLEY, on behalf of the Associa- tion, made response of thanks to the mayor for his cordial welcome to the city. Mr. Dudley stated that Hon. PLATT ROGERS, ex -mayor of Denver and one of the City Library Committee, had been expected to be present to address this meeting, but was unavoidably absent from the city on important business. President UTLEY made announcement that owing to the absence of the Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Recorder, the executive board had appointed for this Conference, C : Alex. Nelson as acting Secretary ; E. H. Anderson as acting Treasurer ; and F : W. Faxon as acting Assistant Recorder. All members of the finance committee being absent, also, the President appointed A. E. Whitaker, D. A. Campbell, and Caroline H. Garland, to act as such committee. The following other committees were an- nounced : Resolutions. F: M. Crundeu, W : H. Brett, Agnes Van Valkenburg. Place of next meeting. W: R. Eastman, Caroline M. Hewins, H. L,. Elmendorf. The President requested that those members who had invitations to present or suggestions to make regarding the place of next meeting confer with that committee. CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF LAST MEETING. Voted. That the proceedings of the last Conference, as printed, be approved. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS was then read. (Seep, j.) SECRETARY'S REPORT. Verbal statement was made that owing to ill- ness in the early part of the year Secretary HILL was obliged to tender his resignation to the executive board. At the request of the President, however, that fact was withheld from publication, and the Secretary undertook to supervise preliminaries and preparations for the Denver Conference, provided some one else would attend to the details. C : Alex. Nelson, upon urgent request, kindly agreed to take charge as acting Secretary ; and the duties of office have been faithfully attended to by Mr. Nelson, both before and including this Conference. Under the circumstances, neither Mr. Hill nor Mr. Nelson could well prepare a formal report for consideration of the Association. TREASURER'S REPORT. In the absence of the Treasurer, a summary was read by Sec'y Nelson. The full report, with its vouchers, was referred to the finance committee of the present meeting for audit. 48 DENVER CONFERENCE. TREASURER'S REPORT. GEORGE WATSON COI,E, Treasurer, in account with the AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. 1894. DR. Sept. 12. To balance reported (Lake Placid Conference, p. in) $ 964.10 Sept. 12, 1894, to July 31, 1895: To fees for 452 Annual Memberships at $2.00 each : For 1891, I $ 2.00 For 1892, i 2.00 For 1893, 6 12.00 For 1894. 78 156.00 For 1895, 364 728.00 For 1896, 2 400 To fees for 19 Annual Fellowships, at $5.00 each : $ 904.00 For 1894, I $ 5.00 For 1895, 18 90.00 To fees for 28 Library Memberships, at $5.00 each: $ 95 .00 For 1894, 2 ." $ 10.00 For 1895,26 130.00 $ 140.00 To life membership of Norman Williams, Esq 25.00 To sale of President Larned's address, i.oo To interest on deposit, Sept. 13, 1894, to Aug. i, 1895, _J5-44 1894. CR. Sept. 15. By Frank Boland ; railroad ticket from Albany to Lake Placid and return $ 9.00 Sept. 21. By W. H. Conklin ; typewriting at Lake Placid Conference, 5.69 Sept. 21. By Great N. W. Tel. Co. ; telegraph charges at Lake Placid 214 Sept. 21. By Allen, Todd & Irons; printing ballots, 3.25 Sept. 21. By Lake Placid Hotel Co. ; Frank T. Boland's board during Conference, 16.13 Oct. i. By Library Bureau ; index cards, 1.60 Oct. 12. By Joseph N. Coue ; badges, 12.00 Oct. 17. By Frank T. Boland ; services as stenographer at Lake Placid, 41.10 Oct. 17. By Groyer Brothers ; letter circulars, 11.50 Oct. 17. By William Stetson Merrill; postage, i.oo Oct. 18. By Langford & Thompson ; typewriting Treasurer's report, 2.00 Oct. 22. By Citizen Newspaper Co. ; stamped envelopes, etc., (Secretary,) 12.00 Oct. 22. By John E. Rowe & Son ; printing, 22.00 Oct. 31. By Frank P. Hill ; expense of Secretary's office, .^ 49- T 3 Nov. 7. By Library Bureau ; Stationary for Secretary and Treasurer, 8.66 Nov. 20. By Ditto for Recorder, 1.32 Nov. 20. By Frank T. Boland, transcripts of Lake Placid proceedings 79-9Q Dec. 28. By Library Bureau; stationery for President, 2.78 Dec. 28. Byjohn E. Rowe & Son ; printing and expressage, 4.45 1895. Feb. 21. By stamped envelopes and postage-stamps for Treasurer 26.00 Feb. 28. By M. R. Walter ; printing papers of Lake Placid Conference, 299.92 Mar. i. By Weed-Parsons Printing Co. ; printing circulars L. P- Conference, 13-00 Mar. i. By A. J. Doan ; printing stamped envelopes and billheads for Treasurer 5.75 Mar. 16. By Publishers' Weekly ; printing and mailing Proceedings, 34293 April 8. By Emil A. Noltemyer; clerical work for Treasurer, 6.13 April 27. By Publishers' Weekly ; printing circulars for Public Documents Committee,.. 9.75 May i. By E. C. Hovey, Treasurer Endowment Fund; Norman Williams Life Mem- bership transferred, 25.00 June i. By A. J. Doan ; printing circular letters for Treasurer 1.75 June i. Byjohn S. McAneny ; clerical work for Treasurer, 3.35 June";i5. By Publishers' Weekly ; mailing circulars for Denver Conference, 8.00 July 3o.j By Discoiint on cheque of James Yates, .21 July 30. By Error in crediting James Yates with membership fee for 1896, 2.00 July 31. By Kay Printing Co. ; printing pamphlets for Denver Conference, 6.25 Aggregate payments, $ 1,035.69 Aug. i. Balance on deposit with the New Jersey Title Guarantee & Trust Co. , 1,108.85 $27144^54 FIRST SESSION. 49 The present status of membership (Aug. i, 1895) is as follows : Honorary Member ( Dr. Henry Barnard) i Life Fellows 2 Life Members 28 Annual Fellows (paid for 1895) 18 Annual Members (paid for 1895) 364 Library Members (paid for 1895) 26 Total, 439 During the period covered by this report the following changes have taken place in the membership of the Association : ADDITIONS : New Members 73 New Life Members i DEDUCTIONS : Members become Life Members i Removed by death 6 Resignations 33 Your Treasurer sent out reminders to mem- bers about the ist of April and again about June ist to those who had not heeded the first request for the payment of dues. His books show the following as yet unpaid : 19 Annual Memberships for 1893, 48 Annual Memberships for 1894, 144 Annual Memberships for 1895, 3 Annual Fellowships for 1895, i Library Membership for 1894, i Library Membership for 1895, representing a total of $447 still due. Quite a large percentage of this amount cannot be col- lected except by persistent dunning. I am of the opinion that those whose dues have been running for some time, say for two or three years, should be dropped from the list, as their retention is only a matter expense to the Asso- ciation. It would seem as if some action should be taken by the Association in order to rid its membership roll of those whose interest has seemed to lapse. By reference to the financial statement above submitted it will be seen that the balance of $964.10, reported at the Lake Placid Confer- ence has been a little more than spent in- the interval following, the total expenditures hav- ing been $1,035.69. As suggested in my last report, I think the Association should adopt the policy of living within its income, which at present seems certainly adequate for all reason- able expenses. The past history of the Asso- ciation strongly appeals for the adoption of 7 such a policy, which should be rigidly adhered to. None of the papers and proceedings of past Conferences have been sold during the year. Several members have reported the loss of copies in the mails. In all such cases the losses have been made good. There are now on hand the following publi- cations : 4 copies of Milwaukee Conference (1886). 36 " " Thousand Islands Conference (!88 9 .) 79 " "St. Louis Conference (1880). 21 " White Mountains Conference (1890). 25 " " San Francisco Conference (1891). 7 " " Lakewood Conference (1892). 78 " " Lake Placid Conference (1894). 900 " " President Larned's Address (1894). NECROLOGY. I. Miss ALMIRA LEACH HAYWARD (A. L. A., No. 102, 1877), librarian of the Public Library in Cambridge, Mass., died Oct. nth, 1894, from A fall in the library building. She was arrang- ing reference books in the reading-room, adja- cent to the new children's room, and after placing a book upon the upper shelf, stepped down and out backward into a temporarily un- covered opening in the floor, and fell to the basement below. Death was almost instanta- neous. Miss Hayward was a graduate of Wheaton Seminary, and in early life taught school in Cambridge, in Lookout Mountain, Tenn., and in the Normal School at Providence, R. I. In June, 1874, she was elected city librarian of the Cambridge Athenaeum, or Dana Library, being then opened to the public, although it was not formally designated as the Cambridge Public Library until 1879. At this time it was housed in the second floor of Masonic Hall in Cambridgeport. Here it remained cramped though small, despite many appeals from the librarian, until the munificence of Mr. Rindge provided for it a handsome stone building in a pleasant and convenient situation. The library was opened in its new quarters in August, 1889, and from that time grew rapidly in size and usefulness, and took an entirely new position in the community. This was in large measure the result of the respect and affection inspired by Miss Hayward, whose DENVER CONFERENCE. wide sympathies, refined taste, and literary and artistic enthusiasm lent an added dignity to her occupation. She was conservative by na- ture, but if she did not welcome all new ideas, she carried them into execution, when adopted, with as much zeal as though she had desired them. Thus, when the library was opened on Sunday, a step which she had opposed and always regretted, she declined relief from duty on that day, saying: "I wish always to be there myself. I don't know but that I might as well do Sunday-school work in that way as another." She wrote occasionally, and a poem written by her at the time of the death of Phillips Brooks was read at her funeral. She was a member of "Cantabrigia," and Secretary of the "Cambridge Art Circle," a member and ex-vice-president of the Massa- chusetts Library Club, and a member of the American Library Association, having returned from the Lake Placid Conference, but a short time before her death. (William H. Tilling hast.} II. MRS. E. C. MARBLE (A. L. A., No. 930, 1891) was born in Fall River Mass., Aug. 9, 1825. Her maiden name was Wrightington. She married Capt. John Marble, with whom she traveled extensively, as he was captain of a whaling vessel. During her voyages she visited many places of interest and made a valuable collection of curiosities. She died of valvular disease of the heart, Dec. 26, 1894, while mak- ing a third visit to California. She was a woman with many friends and will be much missed. III. NORMAN CARDIGAN PERKINS (A. L. A., No. 612, 1887), assistant librarian of the Detroit Public Library, died at Grace Hospital in that city, March 20, 1895, after an illness of three months, of gangrene, originating in a slight injury to the foot. He was born in Pomfret, Vt., April 17, 1832. He was graduated from Yale college as class poet in 1857. He studied law and entered upon its practice iu Chicago, where he was successful for many years. Financial reverses, however, overtook him. His predilection had always been a literary one, and he abandoned the law for journalism. In August, 1881, he iDecame an editorial writer on the Detroit Tribune, and in March, 1886, he accepted the position of assistant librarian in the Public Library. He joined the A. L. A. in 1885, and at the Thousand Islands Confer- ence read a paper on binding periodicals. He was one of the most genial and companionable of men, and his friendships were of the warm- est. Flis mind was of a remarkable fineness of fiber and sensibility to the intrinsic beauty of things, and was richly stored by a lifetime of judicious and loving contact with books. (H. M. Utley.) IV. REUBEN BROOKS POOLE (life member, A. L. A., No. 36, 1876), librarian of the Young Men's Christian Association, New York city, died April 6, 1895, from heart disease, follow- ing an attack of the grip, by which he had been confined to his home only a few days. He was born in Rockport, Mass., in 1834, and was a son of Nathaniel Poole, a farmer. His boy- hood was spent on his father's farm. He was educated in Phillips Academy at Andover, and at Brown University, being a graduate from the latter institution in 1857. He was after- ward, for one year, teacher of the Rockport High School. During the Rebellion he taught in the Philadelphia House of Refuge. In January, 1864, he became the librarian of the Y. M. C. A., in which he rendered over thirty years of continuous and efficient service. Mr. Poole was an earnest member of the Broadway Tabernacle and was particularly in- terested in promoting the growth and welfare of the Chinese Sunday-school sustained by that church. Recently he was elected as president of the New York State Library Association. He was of quiet tastes, unassuming manners, profoundly interested in all religious matters, and active and alert in everything pertaining to the interests of the organization he had served so long and well. He had made a spe- cial study of old Bible manuscripts, and wrote many magazine articles on that and other re- ligious topics. One of the early and original members of the A. L- A. , joining at the first meeting in Philadel- phia, he continued one of its active supporters and workers who seldeni failed to be present at its various conferences. Many papers of his appear in its successive Reports and the Library Journal, as well as timely and wise remarks in the current Proceedings. V. JOHN FLETCHER WILLIAMS (A. L. A., No. 977, 1892), ex-librarian of the Minnesota FIRST SESSION. Historical Society, died at Rochester, Minn., April 29, 1895. Mr. Williams was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sept. 25, 1834. He attended Woodward College in that city and subse- quently the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which institution he was graduated in the Scientific Department in 1852. Three years later he removed to Minnesota and settled in St. Paul, where he remained until just before his death. Soon after settling there he engaged in newspaper work. He continued in the profession of journalism with much success for twelve years. In 1867 Mr. Williams was elected secretary and librarian of the Minnesota Historical Society, a position with which his historical and anti- quarian tastes were directly in harmony. In 1869 he withdrew from newspaper work alto- gether in order to devote his entire time to the service of the Society. He was busily engaged in this work until the summer of 1893, when his health failed. In addition to the regular duties as secretary and librarian, Mr. Williams edited the collec- tions of the Society and wrote and published a " History of the City of St. Paul and County of Ramsey." He also wrote a number of papers for the Society, biographical sketches of old settlers and public men, and collected a large mass of manuscript and printed material for the history of the state and its people, which will probably prove of the greatest value in the future. The historical societies of Pennsyl- vania, Virginia, Rhode Island, Maine, Buffalo, Montana, and the Northwestern Historic- Genealogical Society conferred upon him diplomas of corresponding membership. VI. EcKivEY B. COXE (life member, A. L,. A., No. 167, 1878), of Drifton, I/uzerne Co., Pa., died May 3, 1895. Mr. Coxe was born in Phil- adelphia on the 4th of June, 1839. He was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1858, and completed a scientific course of study in Europe, having spent two years in Paris and a year in the mining school of Frei- burg, in Saxony. He occupied two years in visiting and studying the mines of Great Britain and Continental Europe, and then began, with his brothers, the business of mining anthracite coal in the Lehigh region, upon property be- longing to his family and inherited from his grandfather, Tench Coxe. He was well known throughout the United States for his practical and scientific knowledge of mining. He was a prominent member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, and an active member both of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and of the American Society of Coal Engineers, and frequently lec- tured on scientific subjects. In 1872 he pub- lished a translation of " Weisbach's Mechanics." VII. CHARGES AUGUSTUS WHEEI,OCK: (A. TL,. A., No. 392, 1880), of Uxbridge, Mass., died May 21, 1895. He was born in that town in February, 1812, and was educated in the public schools of the town. He was of a mechanical turn of mind, and was at an early age em- ployed in his father's mill, where he became thoroughly acquainted with the business. He began as a manufacturer in 1834 and continued in business until February, 1890, when after an honorable and highly successful business career of fifty years he retired to private life. He took a very active interest in the affairs of the town as a member of the school committee and of the board of trustees of the public library, and filled many other places of honor and trust, including two terms as state senator. All of which is respectfully submitted. GEORGE WATSON COLE, Treasurer. JERSEY CITY.N.J., August i, 1895. On motion of J. N. WING it was Voted. That the treasurer be instructed to send to other active members in good standing residing in the same places, the names of those who are in arrears for dues (with a statement of the time and amounts), requesting a personal interview and solicitation, and report thereon - believing that such measures would result in ob- taining many of the amounts outstanding or else aid the treasurer in clearing the accounts from his books. REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OP THE ENDOW- MENT FUND was not received in time for presentation at this meeting, but came to hand subsequently, as fol- lows : E. C. HOVEY, Treasurer, in account with A. I,. A. ENDOWMENT FUND. 1894. DR. Sept. To balance $270.58 To cash received, viz. : Interest $262.00 Life memberships 50.00 $582.58 DENVER CONFERENCE. 1895. CR. Aug. By amount paid for Rent of safe ............................... $ 10.00 By balance ................................ 572-58 E. & O. E. Aug. 19, 1895. E- C. HOVEY, Treas. There are no Liabilities. Financial Condition. Invested in bond and mortgage $4,800.00 Notes of Publishing Section 650.00 Cash in bank 572.58 $6,022.58 E. C. HOVEY. Sec'y NEI3ON read the REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. The finance committee congratulates the As- sociation on its prosperous condition, as shown by the report of the treasurer. Only those who have served in this position can realize the pleasure and satisfaction found in seeing the little sums due from members come in, day by day, until they reach a goodly sum ; and, at the end, secure a generous balance on the right side. That pleasure and satisfaction we would all share to-day. The Association has to its credit with the treasurer full eleven hundred dollars, or more, and there are no outstanding bills, as far as. known, except those which have been con- tracted in connection with the present Confer- ence. This is thought to be the best financial showing ever made by the Association. The chief expense for the year has been in- curred for the printing of the Papers and Pro- ceedings of the Lake Placid Conference. These are minute, filling a stout volume of 190 pages. Yet, in view of their value, the committee is not disposed to suggest greater brevity in fu- ture. They form also an essential part of the Library Journal, and, in this form, reach a constantly increasing circle of readers, who ex- pect to find in them valuable particulars of li- brary work. Authority has been given by the committee for the expenditures of the year, with orders on the treasurer for their payment, as required by the constitution of the Association. Respectfully submitted, JAMES L. WHITNEY, GARDNER M. JONES, \ Committee. A. W. REPORT OF EXECUTIVE BOARD. Pres. UTIlan of the Massachusetts library club adopted at their Boston meeting, March i, 1895, to undertake for adults, a monthly list of works of fiction, specially suited for public libraries. The I/ibrary Bureau furnishes from its books used for the printed catalog cards the material to a committee of 17, divided into sub-committees of three, which return to the secretary with recommendations and comments the books sent them for examination. Those recom- mended by every one of the three members are put on the lists to be printed monthly with de- sirable annotations and sent free to club mem- bers and to others paying a small subscription. Mr. G: T. Little, who has done excellent work in this line, supplied the club with copies of his last list of 100 books. This opens a field for a most valuable co-operation . The d ifferent clubs now becoming so numerous, and soon to re- present every state in the union, could ex- change their publications and, still better, could co-operate on a larger scale in preparing a monthly list covering not only fiction but other subjects, and for national instead of state use. In New York much is being done in this di- rection at the state library. Nearly 30 select lists have been published as catalogs of the traveling libraries which by their success have marked an epoch in library work. This prin- ciple ought to be widely extended, and it would seem a desirable recommendation from this Association to the proper government officials to have the plan adopted for the various gar- risons, army-posts, ships of war, and other points where considerable numbers in the em- ploy of the United States could profit by having the best selections of reading matter freely available. The state library associations should also, each in its own territory, try to introduce this most economical method of making good books widely available. Three or four of the states have already passed, or have in the hands of influential men, for passage, laws based on that of New York. Beside the traveling libraries, New York has also what is known as the Capitol library, an ap- plication of the same principle to the state em- ployees resident in the capitol. A selection of the very best books is made to be lent freely to any person employed by the state for the use of himself and family. The trial library of 200 or 300 volumes has now grown to more than as many thousand, and the character of books taken, and the satisfaction of the readers has amply justified the experiment. Mr. W: H. Tillinghast of the co-operation committee makes the following admirable sug- gestion as another application of the same prin- ciple : " If libraries will take a hand in the work of the ' shut-in' societies, and co-operate with them and one another in getting books to those who are really unable to get them for them- selves, I think much good would result. Li- braries might join the 'Cheerful letter' ex- change, note the applications from people within their vicinity and consider whether they could not do something to place their resources at the service of those unfortunates. Many ap- plications come for books from places that have a public library, and inquiry has some- times shown that the public library was prac- tically inaccessible to that particular person. It would seem that something might be done to help the societies and the libraries to reach the SECOND SESSION. 59 people they want to reach with less expendi- ture of energy." With the co-operation of many librarians we have just ready for the printer a list of 500 books for the use of small libraries, many of which are simply dazed and confused by the wealth of the A. L,. A. library. Miss Wheeler, with an assistant, in the public libraries de- partment uses every available hour in collecting and preparing material for the annotated sec- tions of the A. I,. A. catalog which have been so long promised, and which at last seem to be in sight. Co-operation in different sections of the coun- try can be best organized through the local clubs, and there is no more promising field for the work in the immediate future. Another form of co-operation easily possible to such clubs, and promising excellent results, is some scheme of affiliation with the A. I,. A. with a resulting fraternity among the various associations so that the members of any one should have, not by courtesy but by right, the privilege of attending meetings of the other associations, or perhaps become corresponding members, receiving their publications and notices on payment of a small fee, but not voting. Some librarians are So constituted that they would hesitate to attend a meeting of a library club in another state, although they happened to be in the city at the time, unless they were specially invited, and yet under a standing rule that all members of other associa- tions were corresponding or honorary mem- bers, would be relieved of their embarrassment. It is suggested to the various clubs that a by-law to this effect would pave the way to some pleasant acquaintances and spread practical co-operation. The co-operative volume of subject headings suggested by this committee in 1893 was pro- perly turned over to the Publishing Section and has been printed, and volumes are expected from the bindery to be in your hands at the Denver meeting. It was agreed that the very important co-operative work connected with the preparation or publication of bibliographies, catalogs, indexes, and similar works should be turned over to the Publishing Section, and the many interesting plans now going forward un- der a more active administration of that section are properly noted in its report rather than by this committee. We may, however, properly commend the suggestion of the Recorder that hereafter the editing, printing, and publishing of the A.L,.A. Proceedings shall be turned over to the Pub- lishing Section, thus relieving the Association itself entirely from the publishing business. It is a curious anomaly that the publication which naturally would have been first on the list of the Publishing Section is still handed about among individual officers, printed in various places, and not kept cataloged or on sale. It would be entirely practicable, under the suggested transfer, to continue publishing the proceedings in the Library Journal, and supplying them to each member, but no series of the Publishing Section would be more val- uable than that of our annual Proceedings ; and with the Section's admirable facilities for dis- tribution, the number sold would greatly in- crease its usefulness, and add materially to the income. This plan would enable the Section to select parts for wide distribution, and have editions printed from the same type ; but it is found impracticable as the Proceedings are now printed. The A. I/. A. ought at this meeting to order turned over to the Publishing Section any copies still remaining of Proceedings of previous years, so that they may be preserved for completing sets in newly organized libra- ries, and for those who value them most, and who would be willing to pay the price fixed for them. For the first time in the history of the vari- ous experiments, the plan of printed catalog cards has been consistently kept up, though at some sacrifice, by the Library Bureau, which still professes itself willing to sink a reasonable amount each year in order to test thoroughly what has so long been the dream of librarians. If those interested will support the measure it will grow stronger each year, and many who have hesitated to equip themselves properly with cases and trays for preserving the various lists so easily made with the printed cards will begin to do so, thus increasing the number used and making the project self-supporting. The practical difficulty is that people urge the vast importance of this plan, and when it is made possible fail to give it a fair trial, allowing their cards to accumulate in packages instead of dividing them into the eight or ten exceed- ingly useful lists which can be made merely by shuffling the cards into different orders by 6o DENVER CONFERENCE. subjects, authors, publishers, books to be ex- amined, books read, books to be bought, etc. We have been called on for a co-operative index to translations, and the matter is re- ferred to the Publishing Section, whence we hope to have the volume in due time. The co-operative index to U. S. publications is near at hand at government expense. Under the new law the public printer has appointed as the head of this department Mr. F. A. Cran- dall, of Buffalo, who impresses those of us who have met him as specially well adapted to make the department a success. He has already secured a number of trained library catalogers and indexers, and we are soon to have more creditable catalogs and indexes than have ever before been printed for government publica- tions. No effort has been made this year to collect a list of new appliances as should be done where a committee can meet and examine and report upon them. A few are noted : We are still awaiting a lit- tle further development, but within a year or two shall probably be able to report the desira- bility of the phonograph for library use where now a stenographer is required. The promise of the linotype brightens, and co-operative cataloging beyond our fondest dreams of a generation ago may soon be possi- ble. The makers promise within a month a new model of the Hammond typewriter which they declare will give better results in library work than any other writing machine. Mr. A. J. Rudolph, whose name is associated with the Indexer, has already added another to the many forms of temporary binders, and will doubtless have samples on exhibition at the meeting. Philip Reich, of Cincinnati, has been for years at work over an elaborate automatic book and parcel carrier which he insists has great merits, and which some librarian with mechan- ical tastes and leisure ought to examine thor- oughly for a report at our next meeting. An important piece of co-operative work in zoology promises fine results which are likely to be imitated in other departments. The project as it now stands is the result of negotia- tions extending through a period of five years past, and will serve, it is hoped, as an intro- duction to the larger plan of the Royal Society. It will, for the moment, merely undertake zoology and publish a fortnightly classified index to zoological literature. In the pamphlet edition each chapter representing the divisions of a systematic classification will be complete in itself, i. read by Miss West, in his absence ; and W: H. BRETT (see p. 36), the latter delivered orally. Pres. UTLEY. The names of Mr. Whelpley and Mr. Hosnier are noted upon the program as having consented to discuss this question. Mr. Whelpley I heard from ; he has found it impossible, up to the last moment, to furnish a paper. Mr. Hosmer I have no word from. Dr. G: E. WIRE read his paper on HOW SHOULD A LIBRARIAN READ? (Seep. 16.) Miss KATHARINE L. SHARP read her paper on LIBRARIES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS. (See p. 5.} Miss*M. E. AHERN. I, for one, want to thank Miss Sharp for the presentation of the subject, libraries in secondary schools, as she has given it this afternoon. We have in Indiana what is termed the Teachers' Reading Circle, and also what is called Young People's Reading Circle. Unfortunately we have drifted away from a very useful system of township libraries estab- lished there for a good many years, but which was broken up by the advent of the war. The school children of the country districts are, therefore, altogether dependent for their mis- cellaneous reading on the work that is supplied by the Y. P. R. C. and the T. R. C. We have in our state but few large libraries and we are not in contact with any of the library schools ; so but few of the librarians are informed in the modern library methods as followed in the large libraries in other states. These few librarians, however, are always will- ing to extend the benefit of their knowledge and helpfulness, so far as they can, to the new libraries that are starting up ; and especially to the overworked teachers, for such they are, in building up the sentiment in favor of district libraries growing out of the Reading Circles. I have many times been at a loss just what to suggest, because the knowledge of libraries which I have gained has come, for the most part, from experience in my particular line of work. I desire to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to some of the leading members in the library profession whose work and advice have been of benefit to me ; and so I feel particularly grateful for what Miss Sharp has presented to us this afternoon. I want to urge the experi- enced librarians who are in touch with those districts where the school libraries are being started to extend to them as far as possible whatever knowledge may be had that will help them in getting established. I do not know how many may feel like doing this, but I do know that if you find a teacher interested in starting school libraries of ny kind, you will find a ready listener and a most grateful recipi- ent of any information concerning the easy practical rules for carrying on the small libra- ries. C: ALEX. NELSON. I have a word to add on this very timely topic. The catalog of the Cambridge high school library, published by Dr. Ezra Abbot, when he was a teacher in that school, was probably the book that made me a librarian. I know just how to appreciate the work that can be done by the librarian of the high school. I remember that after I entered Harvard College the first book I read was at the suggestion of Dr. Abbot. It was a little book called King Rent's Daughter, and is one of the prettiest pieces of dramatic literature that we have. On this topic, as well as some other things that we discussed this morning, there seems to be some hidden influence at work ; there must be something in the air ; interest in this topic is spreading throughout the country. At the beginning of next month New Jersey takes into her State Normal School library a member of this Association (a member of the first library school class) as a librarian, with the idea that lectures shall be given to the teach- ers, instructing them in the use of reference books, and books in general. Now, this is done, perhaps, in some other states, but there are not many that do this in the normal schools. But this work is spreading, and this paper of Miss Sharp's will, I hope, not only be published in the Library Journal, but also in some edu- cational journals where it will reach all the normal schools in the country, particularly their superintendents. Prof. Butler, President of the National Educational Association at the Denver meeting, is much interested in this FIFTH SESSION. 77 subject and has talked up this work. I con- gratulate Miss Sharp on the admirable paper she has given us to-day. Miss CAROLINE M. HEWINS. It is only late- ly that we have been able to work with the high school. The books in the high school library, a good one, do not go out for the reason that the library does not buy duplicates. With the help of one of the teachers, a young enthusiastic college woman, we are trying to bring the high school classes and our library very near to- gether. She is teaching English history this year. We have mimeographed a list for every member of her class. I have copies here a list of novels in connection with English his- tory, divided into periods, and also some sug- gestions for their use ; besides that, the informa- tion that other books connected with English history, were in our reference room, to be freely handled ; some of them to be allowed to go out, and some not. On the lower shelf we have illustrated books connected with the period the class is studying. They have in school the illustrated editions of Green's His- tory, but we put ours there, besides books like Clark's Mediaeval Military Architecture, and whatever else we have. (This year we have been filling up the history section in the A. L,. A. catalog.) On the shelf above, we have the novels and interesting biographies connected with the period that the class is studying, and the teacher and I have it under- stood that one or the other, or both of us, will be at the service of the class every Friday afternoon. Boys and girls of fourteen, fifteen, and six- teen are not very much given to spending their afternoons in a library which is purely a refer- ence one for scholars. But we have brought down to the shelves in our little reference room books from the Watkiuson Library that they would never think of looking at by themselves (illustrated volumes of Archseologia, with pic- tures of Roman tombs and Roman lamps, and books of armor and costumes, etc.), and on Friday afternoons the teacher and I spread our nets very carefully and catch as many boys and girls as we can. Sometimes it is only three or four, or half a dozen, but one or the other of us is there to tell them interesting things that they will find, and say, "You won't care to read the whole of this through, but you will find something that will interest you on such and such a page." I tell them that there are Bayeux tapestry pictures in one book that are funnier than anything in Puck, and that they can find some of the same pictures in a volume of Scribner 's for five or six years back, and take them home. In that way we are grad ually drawing a class in the high school into a closer relation not only with the books in school but with those in the public library. W: H. BRETT. I wish to emphasize the re- mark made by Mr. Nelson, as I believe that this paper of Miss Sharp should be published in a separate form. It contains a large amount of valuable information, and suggestions which will be very valuable, not only in school libra- ries but in libraries of all sorts, about helpful methods in making a library useful. I am sure that it will answer many questions which are frequently asked of the librarians of every im- portant library, the questions that come from those who are starting libraries, and I should be glad to have such a pamphlet to refer to. The President read a letter from GEORGE Ii,ES to the Publishing Section, relative to the forthcoming issue of annotated lists of books, edited for the Section by Mrs. Augusta H. Leypoldt and Mr. lies, and to be sold through the Library Bureau. For editorial services no charge is made, and a few mss. for the lists were supplied gratis ; Mr. lies has paid for the others and contributes $250 towards advertising expenses, as a gift to the Section. Adjourned at 5.00 p. M. SIXTH SESSION. (WINDSOR HOTEI,, THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 15.) President UTI,EY called the meeting to order at 8.30 P. M., and announced the following committee on Memorial to Dr. Poole : F: M. Crunden, W: I. Fletcher, Dr. G: E. Wire and J. N. Wing. Also as tellers for the election of officers at the seventh session : F. C. Patten and G: T. Clark. The President stated that the program com- mittee had endeavored to arrange for papers to be asked of those only who could be in attend- ance at this Conference ; but that finally, owing to sickness and other causes, several members who had prepared papers to read at this session were not present. DENVER CONFERENCE. In the absence of S: H. RANCK, the Recor- der read his paper on NEED OF ADDITIONAL COPYRIGHT DEPOSITO- RIES. (Seep. 43-} H. It. ELMENDORF. Some action should be taken on the suggestions of the paper read, and I think they should be referred to the com- mittee on Public Documents. Voted. T: T. Woodruff read the paper of C: W. McCLiNTOCK (the latter not being present), on BEST METHOD OF CHANGING A SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY TO A FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. (Seep. 46.) Paper by A. H. HOPKINS, in his absence, was read by A. E. Whitaker, on A HANDBOOK OF LIBRARY ECONOMY. (Seep. 41-} Miss Caroline H. Garland, in the absence of G: T. LITTLE, read the paper of the latter on HELPING INQUIRERS. (Seep, /p.) The President read a letter from Dr. JOHN G. AMES, Chief of Document Division Depart- ment of the Interior, Washington, D. C., dated August 12, 1895, which received hearty ap- plause. The principal part of the communica- tion is as follows : ' ' I regret very much that I had not previously known of the intention of the librarians to pass a few hours in Washington on their west- ern trip, as I should have certainly tried to meet them. It would have been very pleasant for me to have renewed an acqaintance with many of them made at the I,ake Placid Confer- ence. It would have been still more pleasant to have accompanied them to Denver, had this been at all practicable. " It is not probable, I think, that the subject of public documents will receive anything more than casual attention at the present Con- ference, as I imagine there will be a general disposition before any further discussion of the matter is had, to await the results of the ad- ministration of the new law, the enactment of which the last year has witnessed. It has been intimated to me that in some quarters, at least, occasional disappointment is being felt over the results which have followed the passage of this law. I am, however, inclined to think that as soon as it comes to be fully executed, there will be general satisfaction on the part of our librarians. Of course, during the period while the new office is being organized and put in thorough running order, there will certainly be some confusion and some delay. The work is too large and too complicated to be organ- ized or systematized under the new adminis- tration, in a week or a month ; but when the facilities which are being put at the disposal of Mr. Crandall, the new Superintendent of Documents, are fully provided, and he has the work thoroughly in hand, I trust that it will be found that the provisions of the new law are working altogether to the satisfaction and the advantage of our public libraries. Mr. Cran- dall, under these provisions, is able to com- mand the services of an adequate number of thoroughly qualified assistants, which has never, hitherto, been the case, so that when once he has his work in hand, there will be, or need be, no delay whatever in the distribution of documents and in the preparation of cata- logues and indexes. The one great difficulty under which I always labored from the impos- sibility of securing of adequate assistants, was that the great burden of extra work of prepar- ing lists, indexes, etc. , as well as the work of exchange, fell upon myself; but these difficul- ties and embarrassments are now happily re- moved by the provisions of the new law which authorize, without limit, the employment of all needed assistants. "As members of the A. I/. A. are aware, the bill originally presented, and which was dis- cussed at the I,ake Placid Conference, was, in some respects, materially modified by amend- ments presented by the Senate committee, and afterwards adopted by both houses of Congress. One result of these amendments has been the transfer of the entire work committed to the Superintendent of Documents, from the De- partment of the Interior to the Government Printing office, and the appointment there of Mr. Crandall as Superintendent of Documents. I have learned of the very warm interest which many librarians manifested in having me transferred with the office, and of their hearty recommendations to this effect to the Public Printer. This interest has been very deeply SIXTH SESSION. 79 and gratefully appreciated by me. It seemed, however, best in the view of the appointing power, that a new man be placed in charge of the new office. I am glad to say that Mr. Crandall seems very thoroughly interested in his work, and determined to do whatever is possible to make his office subserve the inter- ests of our libraries and the public at large. The work of the office is, I imagine, much larger and more complicated than he, at first, anticipated, but I am sure he will strive to make his administration entirely satisfactory to library interests. " It is probable that when Congress meets at the approaching session quite a number of amendments to the new law will be proposed, as, undoubtedly, several of the executive de- partments of the government are dissatisfied with certain of its provisions. The A. L. A. will also, perhaps, desire to suggest other amendments ; if so, it will be well that such amendments be carefully considered and form- ulated, and then entrusted to the committee on Public Documents for presentation at the open- ing of the next session. It is, I think, desir- able that all such amendments should be pre- sented early so that they can be considered together by the Congressional committees. "As I view the subject, nearly everything that was desired by the A. L- A. is embraced in the new law, which secures to libraries not only the documents hitherto sent them but almost all other government publications of any value. It also provides for giving prefer- ence in the matter of binding to documents designed for public depositories. The benefit of this last provision will probably not be real- ized for several months, at least ; not until the Public Printer has time to clear away some of the accumulated stock of documents awaiting binding ; but probably within six months or a year, documents published for distribution to libraries will begin to be very promptly re- ceived. Then, again, entirely adequate pro- vision is made for monthly catalogues and for yearly indexes of government publications, which catalogues and indexes will, I think, prove almost invaluable to all persons hand- ling public documents. Taking everything into consideration, it seems to me that library interests have been very largely subserved by the passage of the new law, and that even if six or twelve months more are required for perfecting the machinery of the new office and the securing of the benefits involved, the members of the Association may well await the issue with patience. "I am, myself, glad to be still in position, where if opportunity occurs, I may be able to assist in securing modifications of the law, and any new legislation which may seem desirable. While having no relation whatever to the new office, I am still at my old stand in the Depart- ment of the Interior, under a new title. The range of my work is, however, very much more limited, being that of supervising the distribution of the publications of the Depart- ment itself. This will, I hope, afford oppor- tunity for me to take up some lines of indexing of documents in which I may yet be able to render efficient, and I trust, acceptable service both to our librarians and to the public at large." On motion of Mr. Nelson it was unanimously Voted. That the American Library Association hereby extends cordial greetings to the Ameri- can Pharmaceutical Association, with congrat- ulations on the pleasant auspices under which we are each holding our meetings in Denver at the same time. An official copy of the same was immediately sent to the secretary of the A. Ph. A. Adjourned at 9.00 P. M. SEVENTH SESSION. (HIGH ScHOor, BUILDING, TUESDAY MORN- ING, AUGUST 16.) Pres. UTI,EY called the meeting to order at 9.25 A. M. BAU,OTrNG FOR OFFICERS. The program named this as the first order of business for the session, with the following statement : The vote will be taken by the Australian ballot system. The names of all the candi- dates will be printed on the ballot, and in vot- ing, the members will check the name of the individual of their choice for each office. The executive board is required to make up this ballot and to place on it not less than three nominees for each office, including names filed with the secretary 48 hours before the election by at least five members of the Association. W: H. BRETT. Before the chair directs;the ballots to be cast for the officers of this Asso- 8o DENVER CONFERENCE. ciation, I wish to withdraw my name from consideration as a candidate for the presidency. I do this, not because I am unappreciative of the honor of this nomination, but because I intend, at the proper time, to present an invi- tation to this Association, which, if it is ac- cepted, as I trust it will be, will afford me both honor and occupation for next year. In thus withdrawing, I wish to thank those who have thought so well of me as to place me in nomination, and to assure the Association that I appreciate the honor. May I ask each member having a ballot to draw a line through my name as it stands there. The ballots were then collected ; pending their count and report of the tellers, W: R. EASTMAN, chairman of the COMMITTEE ON PLACE OF NEXT MEETING made verbal report recommending a vote rela- tive to the invitation from the L. A. U. K. The report was referred back to the committee for amendment ; after which it was again pre- sented and adopted, as follows : Voted. That we have received with great satisfaction the proposals for an International Conference of the A. L. A. and the L. A. U. K. in Great Britain, at some time in the near future, and promise that this Association will enter heartily into such plans to that effect as may be made by future Conferences. But it is the conviction of this meeting that the near approach of the Grand Exposition at Paris in the year 1900 points to that date as the one to be chosen for a gathering of the librarians of the world. W: R. EASTMAN, for the same committee, reported as follows : We have received three invitations from localities specially interested. A strong plea conies from Philadelphia, wishing us to cele- brate in that city the twentieth anniversary of the founding of the American Library Asso- ciation ; stating also, that in their effort to organize a free library movement Philadelphia needs the help to be derived from such a meet- ing. We have a letter from the president of the Free Library of Philadelphia, and a paper signed by six or seven of the presidents of the leading libraries of that city and vicinity. But it seemed to the committee that next year we had better not go quite so far to the east as Philadelphia. The committee had also in mind that if, perchance, we should go to Lon- don in 1897, we would want a meeting on the sea coast at that time. The other two places urged for the Confer- ence are Cleveland and Chautauqua Lake. There is a great deal to be said for each. Cleve- land has a centennial exposition in prospect to celebrate, the anniversary of the foundation of the city. We all know what a favorable city it is for conventions, and how much is desir- able about it. Chautauqua Lake, a lake of twenty miles in length, has the city of James- town at one end, and the Chautauqua Assem- bly grounds at the other, and fine hotels. The mayor of Jamestown, who is secretary of the library there, sends a very urgent letter asking us to come, as indeed, he asked us a year ago to come. Between these two the committee is not willing to recommend. We think it ought not to rest with three individuals to decide between two places, either of which would accommodate the meeting and receive us cor- dially. For that reason we recommend that the Association declare its preference, and, if you are willing to give the time, we should be glad that Miss Hazeltine and Mr. Brett should be heard on this subject. In reference to the question of time, another matter laid before the committee, if we go to Cleveland, we should prefer probably to go late in August, leaving time for a post confer- ence trip to Mackinac Island. If we go to Chautauqua it would be better to choose the first or second week in August on account of the Assembly, which closes about the aoth. So the question of time will depend on the ques- tion of place. Miss M. E. HAZEI.TINE. It is difficult, when we are in the midst of beautiful scenery, to present a picture of another beautiful scene that is entirely different. Chautauqua Lake is a very lovely place. I wish I could bring it before you for a moment, a lake of blue framed in hills of green ; a lake twenty miles long with varied shores, with wooded hillsides, with all things beautiful about it ; with ample hotel accommodations, with cordial people, every- thing that you could wish. Then there are the delights of a retired lakeside resort, where rowing, sailing and boating of all kinds are at your pleasure ; where there is fresh water bathing ; where there is some of the best fish- ing in New York State ; also, if you prefer, SEVENTH SESSION. 81 many cosy nooks where a book will be pleas- ant company. And then there are the drives when sessions are over for the day, or ad- journed for an afternoon ; a coaching trip to the famous Chautauqua grape region, one of the most beautiful drives in the entire State, and where you can have grapes to your heart's content ; another coaching trip to Panama Rocks, a peculiar geological formation ; and many drives along the lake and over the hills. Jamestown, a city of twenty thousand and more, at the foot of the lake, will be ready to welcome you, and assist in your entertainment; to give you a drive about the city or ride in the trolley cars ; to show you the factories, for it is a city of factories. Two of the largest woolen industries in the United States are there, the Fenton Metallic Works, where library shelving is made doubtless you could secure good rates for new libraries furniture and shoe fac- tories, in fine, everything in the line of manu- factures. You will be received into our homes and entertained by the people of Jamestown, who will be responsible for your pleasure, even though your headquarters are at one of the resorts on the lake. So we invite you because we think it is a spot that would enchant you. Then we appeal to you to come and help us, because we are in a very poverty-stricken con- dition library-wise. Buffalo and Jamestown are about the only places in Western New York than can boast of libraries. There are a few scattered between these points, but not many. We are far behind the times, and it would be of inestimable benefit to Western New York if one of these enthusiastic meetings could be held there. And my strongest point is that you plan to come during the term of the famous Chautauqua summer school, hold your ses- sions at some quiet point on the lake, and one day go to Chautauqua itself, and have a Library Day. Have for your meetings the amphi- theatre, which will seat hundreds, where you can reach people from all over the United States and from other countries, so you will reach not only Western New York, but on that Library Day you would come in touch with all the world. I am sure that Bishop Vincent would gladly arrange for such a day on the Chautauqua program. For a post-conference, several delightful ex- cursions could be planned. Some there always II are who do not care to include that part, but prefer a resting time. These could remain in some cottage, enjoying hours of recreation, lectures at Chautauqua, steamboat rides over the lake, or quiet rest. Those who take the post-conference, could go to Buffalo or Cleve- land, and from either point take the trip of the lakes. Or a trip through Central New York, with its chain of lakes, Cayuga, Seneca, Oneida, with Watkins Glen and a visit to the Cornell Library would be delightful. Yet another trip could be planned to the Thousand Islands, with a glimpse of Niagara on the way. And yet others might be suggested. As to rates and accommodations, all roads lead to Chautauqua in summer ; excursion rates from all points to Chautauqua are customary, and for a company of this kind, I am sure that very low rates could be secured. The Erie road is a trunk line, and could bring you from east and west directly to the lake. Buffalo is only seventy miles distant, and many could come over the New York Central, Lake Shore and other roads, all of which connect with Jamestown and the lake. And for hotel accommodations come and see for yourselves. All that, we have for you. I earnestly hope that you will con- sider the invitation. W: H. BRETT. I certainly never heard a more eloquent presentation of an invitation during the years in which I have attended the meetings of the Association. It almost con- vinces me that I want to go to Chautauqua my- self. I need hardly speak of the reputation of Cleveland. You all know it is a beautiful city ; it is a hospitable city. It is a city accustomed to having meetings and taking care of them. We have had in the last two years some of the largest meetings, as for instance, the Christian Endeavor Convention last year, and the meet- ing of the Republican Club this year ; both of which were very handsomely entertained. We had in February a meeting of the National Association of School Superintendents, and I believe every person who attended these meet- ings went away feeling gratified and enthusi- astic over Cleveland, and wanting to come back again. The hotel accommodations are ample. At the Hollenden Hotel, which is only two blocks away from the library build- ing, the entire Association could be accommo- dated with plenty of comfort. There is an assembly room in the library building, which 82 DENVER CONFERENCE. would be a convenient one to meet in ; there are ample parlors at the hotel also. There are many things of interest about Cleveland ; the electric car lines, I think, are among the very best in the country. Cleve- land, although not known especially as a sum- mer resort, may almost deserve to be so called, because it is the summer home of a great many people from the interior. Adjoining the city is Edgewater Park, where there are bathing facilities that cannot be excelled away from salt water, convenient of access by the electric cars, and only about thirty minutes from the centre of the city. Near Cleveland are several other lakeside resorts, that are beautiful, and convenient of access. I think, in case our invitation is ac- cepted, that Mr. Utley desires to have the Association spend a day in Detroit. Put-in- Bay, which is one of the most beautiful places in the country, and of historical interest, lies between Cleveland and Detroit. The trip from Detroit could be made in the daytime, giving several hours at Put-in-Bay, reaching Detroit in the evening. Or the trip can be made directly to Detroit by rail or boat. Then just above Detroit on the St. Clair river are the St. Clair flats, which are un- like anything else in the country, and are delightful summer resorts ; cottages dotted along the St. Clair canal, and many of them built on piles above the water, which is abso- lutely clear and running over the sand. It is beautifully described in Litchfield's "Little Venice." After the meeting is over, for those who do not care to incur the expense of a long post-conference trip, Put-in-Bay, or the St. Clair flats are delightful places at which to spend the time at a moderate expense. For those who care for it, Mackinaw, which is reached from Cleveland or Detroit, offers one of the most beautiful spots in the coun- try. The steamboats run from Cleveland, connecting with others from Detroit. In- cluding staterooms and meals, the four days on the steamers from Cleveland to Mackinaw and return cost nineteen dollars ; just a little more than it would cost to live at a hotel for the same time. Mackinaw, you all know, is a place of great beauty and interest. The reasons which I have thus far men- tioned will probably apply equally well any other year. There are, however, some reasons why I should be specially glad to have you come next year. It is our centennial year. The foundation of the city will be celebrated, and preparations are being made to that end. It is proposed to hold an exposition which will probably last three months, and a large amount of money is being raised and very great inter- est is manifested in it, so that I have no doubt it will be a marked success. I will read a letter received since I came here. It is from the director general of the exposition, who is also president of the Chamber of Commerce. (Let- ter read.) Now it is hoped, in connection with the cen- tennial year, to take advantage of the interest and sentiment it has aroused, and bring to a focus the matter of a new city hall and other public buildings ; and we hope to bring to a conclusion at the same time the matter of a new public library, of which we are in great need. While I hesitate to mention this, be- cause it is not certain by any means, I do feel sure that if the Association should decide to come to Cleveland the very fact that they were coming would help the matter along very greatly. It would stimulate the interest in library matters and be of great help to us. If we could, we should be glad to lay the corner stone of the new building when the A. L. A. is there. One of the features of the exposition will be a Library Day. I have talked the matter over with the director general of the exposition more fully than the letter indicates. Library Day at Chautauqua would be a delightful day, but the Chautauqua Assembly is in session every year; the Cleveland centennial will be celebrated next year only. Our Library Day would be of the greatest value to us there next year. Next year, also, the Hatch Library, which is a fine building, a gift to the Adelbert College in Cleveland, will be opened. These are all things which would enter into making next year an interesting year in Cleveland, and a year which would be more favorable than any other in which to have the Association meet in Cleveland. I do not intend to say a word against Chau- tauqua. It is one of the most delightful places in the world ; but there are one or two things which we might fairly take into consideration. We can go to Chautauqua any year ; we met in New York State last year, and it seems fair that the Association should go a little farther SEVENTH SESSION. west. Cleveland can offer all the advantages of any point in the central states in the way of convenient access and favorable railroad rates. Half-fare rates can be had from any point to Cleveland if there is a sufficient number to go, and the regular two-third rates can certainly be had. I think that Cleveland offers all the ad- vantages that any city can offer, and there are those special reasons which I have mentioned why next year will be the most favorable year of all to have you come. I most cordially hope you will decide so to do. Remarks were made by H : J. Carr and F : M. Crunden in favor of Cleveland. Miss M. E. HAZELTINE. Although I shall have a greatly disappointed constituency awaiting me (especially in Jamestown, where we had very much hoped to welcome the As- sociation next year), yet, because of the exist- ing conditions, if you will come to Chautauqua soon, before the year 1900, I will withdraw in favor of Cleveland and Mr. Brett. E. H. ANDERSON. I came here with the intention of asking the Association to spend a day in Pittsburg in case the conference should be held in Chautauqua. Since I have found how much it means to the Cleveland Public Library to have it held there, I have decided not to extend the invitation at this meeting. I know if the conference is held in Cleveland, a post-conference trip would be preferred else- where than to smoky Pittsburg. We hope to have the Association with us some later day, before the year 1900. F : M. CRUNDEN moved that the next Con- ference, for the year 1896, he held at the city of Cleveland. Voted. W : R. EASTMAN moved that the time for such Conference be on or about the first of September, if satisfactory arrangements can be made for that date, in the discretion of the executive board. Voted. REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE. We have audited the Treasurer's accounts, as presented to this Conference, and find them to be correctly cast, with proper vouchers ; also bank book showing balance on hand as re- ported. ALFRED E. WHITAKER, CAROLINE H. GARLAND, Acting Finance Committee. August 16, 1895. Pres. UTLEY read various items and queries from the QUESTION BOX. " How many of those present at this Confer- ence, who came from active library work, have their expenses paid by the libraries?" Twenty- one responded. "How many had their time given and not counted as vacation?" Thirty-two responded. Remarks upon this subject were made by several persons, specifying the views of their library trustees or detailing individual modifi- cations in that practice. As thus shown there would seem to be an increasing tendency on the part of library trustees to instruct their librarians to attend the meetings of the A. L. A. as representatives of their libraries ; and to con- sider that the respective libraries profit by their doing so with time given and expenses paid. "What value should be placed on Govern- ment documents for insurance purposes?" Discussion of this question developed quite a disparity of views, according as the speakers had in mind large or small collections, those strong in the scientific sets, or otherwise with few but the common run of public documents, etc. It was generally agreed that their value is increasing, since the larger libraries feel the need of having sets as full as possible, and that as time goes on it is becoming more diffi- cult to obtain those of the past. Also that it is possibly a question for each individual li- brary according to the nature of its possessions in such publications ; and any generalization on a broad basis, even of a dollar a volume and upwards, might in many cases be unsafe and unjust to the particular institution applying it. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Pres. UTLEY. Before the result of the bal- loting is announced I shall make a ruling in opposition to the one made last year. The president then held that a majority vote is re- quired to elect ; and a second ballot was ren- dered necessary. I did not then agree with the ruling of the chair, but was not in position to question it. In view of the fact that where there are several candidates for an office, no one may have a majority over all and consid- erable time may be unnecessarily consumed by further ballotings, I shall hold that a plu- rality vote elects. Unless this ruling is ques- tioned, therefore, the person or persons found DENVER CONFERENCE. to have the highest number of votes for each office will be declared elected. The tellers of election thereupon reported the result of the balloting, as follows : President.]: C. Dana, 65 ; (scattering, 12). Vice- Presidents. Henry J. Carr, 58 ; The- resa H. West, 55; C: R. Dudley, 40; (two others, 32 and 33 respectively). Secretary. H. I/. Eltnendorf, 50; (scatter- ing, 24). Treasurer. Geo. Watson Cole, 46 ; (scatter- ing, 3i). Trustee of Endowment Fund. Norman Williams, 67. A. L. A. Council. Katharine L,. Sharp, 64 ; Herbert Putnam, 56 ; H: M. Utley, 42; E. H. Anderson, 36; (four others, 21 to 34 each). Those above named were declared elected. AMENDMENT TO CONSTITUTION. Pres. UTLEY. The proposed amendment to the constitution relating to the annual election of officers, as submitted by the executive board under instructions, was laid upon the table at the first session, to be taken up at a subse- quent time. (See p. jj.) The sections, as proposed, have been printed in full and placed in the hands of all members of the Association prior to this meeting, and read as follows : SUBSTITUTES FOR SECTIONS 9 AND IO OF THE CONSTITUTION. Sec. 9. ELECTION. This Association shall at each annual meeting elect by ballot a presi- dent and an executive board of five. The president for the last preceding year and the president-elect shall also be members of said board, and the latter shall be its chairman. The board shall choose for the Association three vice-presidents, a secretary, recorder, treasurer, a finance committee of three, a co- operation committee of five, and such other officers and committees as may in its judgment be necessary. The board may also add to its number. The term of all officers shall be from the adjournment of one annual meeting to the adjournment of the next. Sec. 10. EXECUTIVE BOARD. The executive board shall transact the business of the Asso- ciation in the intervals between the meetings, and shall have power to act on all matters on which they reach unanimous agreement. The proposed change simply contemplates that the body of the Association, instead of electing the president, vice-presidents, secre- tary and treasurer by direct vote, as now, shall elect the president and an executive board of five persons, who shall choose the remaining officers. I wish to say in this connection that this matter of electing officers is an old ques- tion which has provoked much discussion. The present plan was adopted in the face of determined opposition. It has been tried three years, and in my judgment no serious evil has resulted. The great argument against it has been that it wastes valuable time. But you have all seen to-day that with the Australian system of voting this is no argument at all, because the time occupied in taking up the ballots is merely nominal. F: M. CRUNDEN. We may just as well con- sider and dispose of this matter now. Before proceeding to its discussion I must protest against the unfair manner in which the presi- dent has stated the question. Pres. UTLEY. I deny most emphatically any intention to state the question unfairly, and do not believe that anybody is likely to be misled by my statement of it. But, in addition to the statement of the question, I also gave an opin- ion on its merits. F: M. CRUNDEN. That was very evident. Pres. UTLEY. What I said by way of ex- pressing my views was entirely separate and distinct from any statement of the question, The question was fully and fairly stated. I con- sider that as a member I have a right to de- clare my opposition to the proposed amend- ment. F : M. CRUNDEN. The president, it seems to me, has made an ex-parte statement. It is evi- dent which side he intends to vote on, and it seems to me he has presented the proposed amendment unfairly ; not intentionally so, but because of his own personal views. At this time I may congratulate the Association on having had the election pass quietly and with- out undue waste of time ; but I have known two Conferences where two of the most promising sessions were absolutely wasted, in the election of officers. I say absolutely wasted, as the re- sult would have been just the same under the old method. The only way of preventing this waste of time is by ruling that a plurality shall elect. Sometimes, where a number of candi- dates are up, a plurality may often be a decided minority ; so you have minority officers right along, especially if it comes to the election of a large number of officers. I can remember one occasion, under this popular method, when we SEVENTH SESSION. came near electing to a certain position one who we fortunately found just in time would have been manifestly an unfit person. I do not think that a popular assembly, com- posed in many cases of persons who attend a Conference for the first time, is the best body for electing officers. That may seem undemo- cratic, but it is not, really ; you simply delegate your powers to persons whose judgment and whose knowledge you trust ; you have your votes just the same. You do not vote directly for the making of the laws of your country ; you elect others to do that. No one has a di- rect voice in the matter. And you know per- fectly well , most of you to whom I am speak- ing, that you are in doubt as to whom you shall vote for. Some of the candidates you never saw before ; and you trust to the ad- vice of somebody else. This makes it easy for some one who is a good hustler to go around and have the person whom he" wants elected, though that person may not be the best for the position. The president, it is conceded, must be a person of such prominence that you all have an opportunity to judge him ; you know him by reputation at any rate. But when it comes to the other officers we can accomplish our object better if we just choose a body of five members who, together with the president- elect, select the other officers. There are rea- sons that will not occur to individuals in a popular assembly why one person at one time ought to be chosen, and another person at an- other time. These and various other consid- erations can be calmly discussed and weighed by trusted members of the Association, elected for that purpose. The Association worked under that system for thirteen years, and satisfactorily ; more satisfactorily than it has worked under the present plan, simply because of the waste of time. The result has been the same. I do not believe there would have been any essential difference in the results under one system or the other ; but the great thing is that we should have saved time. HENRY J. CARR. As a member of the Asso- ciation some years before I became a librarian, and since (both as an ordinary member, and again as one of those who has been favored with a position among your officers), I have had an opportunity to see the workings of the Association and of its constitution under sev- eral different phases. I speak therefore, both from the side of a private, individual member, and from the side of one who has had some- thing to do with the interior operations, those on which more or less of the actual success of each successive year depends. I am thoroughly convinced from those experiences, and from both points of view, that really the old way was the best ; not because it was the old way, but because it was very skilfully planned by those who had had experience in like institu- tions. It resulted in bringing to the front the best and most valuable material, selecting quietly and simply those who by their circum- stances, by their disposition, and by their ac- tions were best fitted and best able to perform the various duties dependent on them, and upon which so much did depend for the final results to be attained. Yielding to certain sentiments, when our constitution came up for revision and for final action, quite a radical change was made in this particular, especially in the matter of election of officers. While the immediate result has not been objectionable, still I do not think that the final result has been, or will be, if con- tinued, for the benefit of the Association in the long run. I do think that the amendment now offered will bring together the best results of the old and of the later ideas and the later ex- perience ; and as presenting the matter for subsequent consideration and action I heartily urge that we adopt the amendment as now presented. It should be well understood, of course, that this amendment does not affect the election of the four members of the council each year ; another clause of the constitution calls for their election by a ballot just the same, so that it cuts no figure in this matter. T : T. WOODRUFF. I am connected with an association numbering some eight hundred members, where the elections are held on a plan quite similar to that proposed by this amend- ment. The council, the governing body, ap- points a nominating committee selected, of course, with a good deal of discretion. That nominating committee presents the names of the officers, and the balloting is really a purely formal affair. Printed ballots are circulated, and voted as a matter of course. That has been the practice for a number of years, and has been found to work very well in serving the main ideas underlying the organization, preventing 86 DENVER CONFERENCE. what are called democratic ideas from running away, from getting wild. It has not had the effect of perpetuating a certain set of men in office, nor of the institution becoming fossilized; and it seems to work, on the whole, very well indeed. F : M. CRUNDEN. It seems to me it is a great mistake to think that an organization of the dignity of the A. I/. A. is run for the purpose of putting certain persons in office. It does not make a particle of difference to me who gets the offices, provided the objects of the Associa- tion are attained, and I think we are in danger of getting in this Association the same spirit that vitiates politics. I do not see any need of it. It never appeared at all until we had adopted the plan of popular vote ; and then it immediately made its appearance. The execu- tive board has acted wisely in stopping nomina- tions by stump speeches ; but if you will bring the matter home, you will see that you have as clearly an individual voice in the selection of the officers, by electing members of the Associa- tion whom you know and trust, and leaving them to exercise their j udgment in accordance with the old plan, as you do under the present method. Now, like Mr. Carr, I have gone through various phases of membership in the Associa- tion. I was a new member at one time ; I knew nothing about the working of it ; I saw who were the leaders of it, and who were interested in it, and working for its good, and I was always perfectly satisfied to leave the election of officers to them. I did not care who the officers were ; so I voted for the men to whom I thought it was best to entrust the affairs of the organization. That is the best way in a body like this. Nearly all loosely organized associations leave their affairs to an executive board chosen by popular vote as is proposed by the amendment. C: AI,EX. NEISON. I am positively in favor of the amendment. I think the arguments presented by Mr. Crunden are strong and good. We waste a great deal of time each year in electing officers. As has been said, the names are put on the Australian ballot ; nominations may be made according to the rules we have had this year. You put in nomination names for president, three of them ; you have your choice in selecting the man you want. In the same way you put in nomination names of members of the executive board. There are no cliques in this Association, but there are minor sentiments; that we all know. It is perfectly natural that the librarians in the West should act together since they know each other better than they know the librarians in the East. The same is true in the East, and they know the librarians of that locality better than they do those in the West ; so we have changed our meetings about that we may know each other better ; that is why we come from the East to meet you in the West. I am only sorry we haven't three times as many here, but there are reasons why many whose regular custom it has been to attend the Association, did not come. You can put in nomination such local feeling as you please, and then the members of the Association elect the members of the board when they vote for the president. I think the old plan was the best plan, as has been said, when the executive board selected the other officers. They may be selected to help one section more than another, it may be said. What of that? This is a National Association ; we did not come here to help librarians of the East, but all the librarians of the Association and of America. What is good for one section is for the good of all, and I hope the day will come when we shall see more members coming in from the South, and have a chance to hold a meeting down there. I only wish we could send a good delegation to the Atlanta Exposi- tion, and throw into the meeting to be held there, that congress of librarians, a sentiment that would make itself felt throughout the South. F: M. CRUNDEN. May I say just one word more, to meet the argument about cliques. If you follow the course of the Association, if you look at the list of its officers from year to year, you will see there has been no ring, no clique of members to keep control. You elect new officers from year to year ; in fact there is a law against the election of the president for a second term ; that necessarily changes hands, and most of the other officers have been changed from year to year. So that argument about a clique getting possession and control of the Association, falls to the ground ; for the executive board, you will remember, has to be elected by the members, and it is in their power to elect a different executive board every year. W: R. EASTMAN. I would like to ask an SEVENTH SESSION. explanation of those who are familiar with the purposes of this amendment. I see there is unlimited power in the board to add to its number ; so seven men can multiply this to twenty-seven, or any number. It is also pro- vided in the tenth section that they shall have power to act on all matters on which they reach unanimous agreement. Does that mean that the executive board can do nothing except by unanimous vote ? Will they, in choosing the vice president, secretary, and treasurer, have to act unanimously or not at all ? Pres. UTLEY. That point has occurred to me ; but that provision has been in the consti- tution from the original organization of the As- sociation. It is in the present constitution, and has been in part amended. F: M. CRUNDEN. That operates after the executive board is completed by the election of the officers. W: R. EASTMAN. There is nothing here to indicate that it is required to elect these officers to complete the board ; or else that these offi- cers when elected will not be members of the board unless the executive board shall have voted for them. Isn't that the case ? Pres. UTLEY. The present executive board is made up of the officers who are elected by the Association. The new board is to be elected directly by the Association, some having been made ex officio members ; that is, the presi- dent elect and the retiring president ; though these officers, as officers, are not members of the board unless the members choose to make them so. W: R. EASTMAN. Are they bound by sec- tion 10, as to unanimous agreement? The reason I ask is, that if any point is overlooked it may be corrected now and not left for another amendment. HENRY J. CARR. I do not think that has been overlooked. As the president has said, it has been the practice from the beginning of the institution ; and Mr. Eastman will observe that is worded, "At intervals between meet- ings ; " that is, matters coming up for action when the Association might not be called to- gether. F: M. CRUNDEN. They certainly could not transact the business of the Association when the Association itself was in session. Pres. UTLEY. The point mentioned by Mr. Eastman has occurred to me, as to whether the board, by unanimous agreement, could do any- thing which it might choose to do, on the one hand ; or if, on the other hand, it must have unanimous agreement in order to do anything. The language seems to me ill chosen. To carry it to an extreme point, could not the board by unanimous agreement change this Association into a medical association? Certainly so, if the language of the constitution may be taken literally. HENRY J. CARR. I beg to differ with you. I doubt whether they could do anything that was not within their power. Some things would be ultra vires. Pres. UTLEY. True. But to determine what is beyond their powers might involve an ap- peal to the courts. The danger may be more fanciful than real. But so far as the language of the section is concerned there is certainly no limitation to their powers. Further discussion of the proposed amend- ment was postponed to the afternoon session. O. L. FASSIG submitted the following, through the COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS. As the rapid growth of that class of scien- tific literature which is being issued in serial publications makes a comprehensive subject index to this material of the greatest import- ance, and as the labor involved in the prepara- tion of such an index makes international co- operation necessary, the American Library Association heartily endorses the movement inaugurated by the Royal Society of London for indexing the current scientific literature in serial publications. Believing that the best method for accomplishing this purpose can most readily be arrived at by a discussion in a conference of those most directly interested in the work, the Association further endorses the recent recommendation of the committee of the Royal Society to hold an international conference in London in the summer of 1896 for the consideration of plans for carrying on the proposed work cf indexing. F. M. CRUNDEN. That does not bind the Association to anything more than an approval of the plan. Pres. UTLEY. I am inclined to think that under section 18 of the constitution this reso- lution will have to go to the council. It was so referred. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE on W: H. Brett's scheme for co-operative in- dexing of periodicals was presented, as fol- lows: 88 DENVER CONFERENCE. Your special committee to consider the plan proposed by Mr. Brett for the co-operative in- dexing of current periodicals desire to report that they are convinced that the plan is a good and proper one to try, and recommend it to the favorable consideration of the Conference. Mr. BRETT made verbal explanation of the proposed undertaking. Remarks, endorsing Mr. Brett's plan were made by F: M. Crunden, J. N. Wing, G: T. Clark, E. H. Anderson, H: J. Carr, W: R. Eastman, Miss M. E. Hazeltine, and C: A. Nelson, with offers of co-operation. Report of the committee was adopted. Adjourned at 12, noon. EIGHTH SESSION. (HIGH SCHOOI, BUILDING, FRIDAY AFTER- NOON, AUGUST 16.) The president called the meeting to order at 3.00 P. M. Motion of Mr. Crunden to adopt the proposed amendment to the constitution. Seconded by Mr. Carr. Pres. UTI,EY. So far it appears that I am the only one who has had anything to say in favor of the constitution as it now stands. I believe it represents the correct principle. This is a democratic government. We are taught from youth up that the people have a voice in the selection of their officeholders. That is the theory in respect to the country generally, and it is the almost universal practice in associa- tions similar to our own. There may be some exceptions. But it seems to me that the gen- eral rule of the country is good enough for us. Why should we have a special rule to control us, as librarians, different from that which con- trols us as citizens ? Cannot the rank and file of the Association be trusted to manage its affairs ? It is highly improbable that a mistake in the election of officers can wreck the Association. If a mistake is made at one election it can be corrected at the next. I, for one, do not believe that we are any more likely, as individual mem- bers of the Association, to err in voting directly for our officers than in voting for a select com- mittee which shall choose the officers. We can individually look over the ground just as carefully as a committee can look it over, and we can exercise good judgment just as well as as a committee can exercise it. There may be some members who would prefer to have a committee do the work of selecting those upon whom shall be conferred the honors and re- sponsibilities of office. But I rather think it is American nature to be jealous of this pre- rogative. Most persons prefer to make known their own minds in their own way rather than to have somebody else do it for them. This whole question was pretty thoroughly discussed at the two meetings when the present constitu- tional provision was pending. The whole ground was gone over carefully and the con- stitution was adopted as it now stands. I/et it have a thorough trial. For the first year or two, perhaps, too much time was consumed in the election. But the plan of taking the ballot has now been systematized, so that this objec- tion is overcome. I think the observation of those who are here to-da}* is that very little time was taken up by the election. The busi- ness of the Association has not been interfered with by it, and it has certainly given us satis- factory results. I/et well enough alone, and at least try it a little longer. F: M. CRUNDEN. I think I may be allowed a sur-rejoinder. The president has referred to the business of the Association, and that very point it seems to me is the strongest against the present system. From its continuance will arise the belief that the main business of the Association is the election of officers. Now our business here is to read papers, and to carry on discussions on library topics. That is the main business of the Association. Of course, incidentally we must have an election of officers. As I said this morning, the net result of this election of officers is about the same. The only difference that would be likely to come from a return to the former methods is that occasionally a modest but meritorious man or woman would be chosen, who might not be selected by a popular vote, because of the lack of certain popular qualities. The president has stated that the present plan worked very well in Chicago ; I challenge the opinion of those who were present in Chi- cago in saying that it worked very 'badly. We wasted the best morning of the meeting, abso- lutely wasted it, in an election. Now it will not do to take the present meeting as a sample of the way a popular election works. You must consider there were only sixty-seven EIGHTH SESSION. 89 votes cast this morning. How would it be when two or three hundred are voting? Again, the tendency of a popular election is to elect somebody who is genial and popular in a social way, and pass over others who are just as good librarians, but have not the hail- fellow-well-met qualities. Just as it is in the world at large. You know perfectly well that the man who gets office in general politics is not always the man who has the greatest fitness. It is the good hand-shaker. I referred this morning to one librarian who was certainly- one of the best in the profession. He was get- ting farther and farther away from the office that he desired, on which his heart was set for years, simply because of certain qualities that made him a little unpopular with people who did not know his inner worth and did not know the admirable work that he had been doing, setting an example in the library worid. That man was elected to the office which he desired because the thing was in the hands of a committee ; and his election did credit in every way to the Association. But the strongest points against the present system are these : In the first place, the waste of time ; the net result, as I have said, is just about the same. I have not the slightest doubt that Mr. Utley would have been elected presi- dent last year by the other plan. I believe Mr. Dana would have been elected this year by the other plan. I am sure he would. That is one point. The other point (and it is perhaps almost equally as strong), is the tendency of the present plan to degrade this Association into a body for the distribution of offices. This, it seems to me, is one of the most deplorable things that could happen. There is one other argument I wish to reply to. The president stated that we ought to let well enough alone. That would have been very good advice if offered before we made this change in the constitution which we now seek to rescind. We were getting along very well, admirably. There was no waste of time, there was no running into cliques, and no danger of doing so, because the power lies with the As- sociation ; they elect the members who select the officers. If you find a certain set of mem- bers are trying to control the Association, and doing what you don't want, don't elect them, elect somebody else. It is entirely in your own power. The way this amendment came 12 about was through an eloquent and powerful speech by an irresistible man ; a man of great personal force and magnetism, who carried the Association with him ; there was no time to think about it ; and it was a popular thing. Of course we all believe that the power should be in the hands of the people ; there is no ques- tion about that. But we are not a political or- ganization ; we are not met to illustrate political methods ; we are here to discuss business mat- ters ; we want to get at certain results, and the quickest and easiest way is the best way for us to take. HENRY J. CARR. I have no desire to go into any extended remarks. I wish merely to say that my experience in the Association since 1878 to the present time has been such as to lead me to corroborate and sustain every- thing that Mr. Crunden has said in the matter. I could not add more, were I to talk an hour ; I could not say better what I feel on the matter or put it more strongly than that. I feel that we should now adopt this amendment, and put it on its way towards subsequent final action; and so, while we are not all, perhaps, in accord with it, let us give it the benefit of the doubt now, and vote its adoption. Miss ANGIE V. MILNER. I would like to support Mr. Crunden on two points made this morning ; the consuming of time, and the in- experience of some members. Chicago year I was a new member, with many other new members, and I remember well that wasted morning when we would have been glad to have somebody who knew something about it settle the whole question. We frequently didn't even know the different candidates from whom we were to choose, and we simply had to do the best we could ; and yet our votes counted just as much as if we had known all about it. A constitutional question was dis- cussed of which we had not had experience enough to judge ; and the only interesting thing that I remember about this whole morn- ing was watching the Columbian guard who had been placed in charge of the door, and who was trying to listen to the parliamentary dis- cussion inside and keep the crowd away out- side. Pres. UlXEY. There is the same difficulty on the part of new and inexperienced members in selecting the right persons for an executive board as in choosing the right persons for offi- DENVER CONFERENCE. cers. I do not see that anything is gained by a change, on that score. Mr. Crunden says we still have the power in our hands, be- cause we elect the board which chooses the officers. My reply to that is that there is no necessity for doing by indirection what we may as well do directly. Many of us perfer to vote for the persons we want as officers rather than vote for delegates who may possi- bly choose for officers the very persons we do not want. C: ALEX. NELSON. I think there is an an- swer to that objection and a very short one. If there are five people to be selected for the board, and there are two hundred members of the Association present, suppose the members are divided up into exactly forty members from each one of five different sections ; each set of forty will know who is the best representative of their section ; suppose each section elects its best man or woman to the board, I think we could trust those five heads to select the other officers. There are certainly among forty members from each of five different sections of the country, some who know who are the best people in the whole country to put into office to run the Association for a single year. I do not see any difficulty ; I think it overcomes all difficulty. Granting that there are five sec- tions, each one of those sections can put in the board the man it likes best, and those five men will certainly be the ones who are enough in- terested in the Association to run it as it should be run, or put it into the power of men who should run it. W: R. EASTMAN. Do I understand that sec- tional division is part of the plan ? C: A. NELSON. It may come to that, though I do not fear it. Grant that there are 40 libra- rians here in Colorado and Idaho and Montana who may not know more than half a dozen, or perhaps not more than one or two librarians from the East, or in the South, or in the Mid- dle States; they certainly know some of the leaders in the library world. You must know whom you consider your best rising people here in the West, and the leaders are the ones who will come to the front. I only give this as an illustration, in case the Association were so enlarged, of divisions that might be. There may be three different sets united on one per- son ; in this way the best people wouldi natur- ally be selected. Pres. UTLEY. It is very easy to say that such or such things might be. But my obser- vation leads me to believe that under such a plan about the same persons would be chosen, year after year, to constitute the executive board. There are certain members gifted with fluency of speech and readiness in debate. They are consequently more or less prominent. I do not say this by way of disparagement, but simply to illustrate the situation. When the time comes to choose a board these persons who have been conspicuous on the floor are, naturally enough, first thought of as suitable members of such a board. It seems to me that the danger is that the selection of officers may fall into the hands of a select few who might thus be able to control the Association and its policy. The membership itself, and not a clique or junta, ought to control the Associa- tion. There is no danger that politics will dis- turb the even tenor of our deliberations, or that our time will be unduly taken up by the lobbying of seekers after office. I do not apprehend that animosities will ever be created by rivalries in that field. There has been no evidence of anything of the kind, so far. But what I do insist on is that the membership of the Association should retain in its own hands the full control of its affairs through the selec- tion of its officers. It is as much our business to attend to these things as it is to discuss questions relating to library economy. Any reasonable amount of time devoted to the transaction of this business cannot be said to be wasted. It is an important part of our duty to outline the policy which the Association shall pursue and to select the officials who shall be charged with the execution of that policy. We should attend to those duties precisely as we attend to all others. A rising vote being taken the motion to adopt was lost ; receiving but 30 in the affirmative out of 56 present. Adjourned at 3.30 p. M., to meet at Colorado Springs, Wednesday, August 21, at 10 A. M. NINTH SESSION. (CosuRN LIBRARY BUILDING, COLORADO SPRINGS, WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUG. 21.) Pres. UTLEY called the meeting to order at 10.30 A. M., some 85 or more persons being present. NINTH SESSION. COMMITTEE ON DR. POOLE MEMORIAL made the following preliminary report : Your committee has organized by the elec- tion of Dr. Wire as secretary and treasurer, and requests that members present who wish to subscribe to the fund hand their names to him. Your committee recommends that the memo- rial take the form of a bronze bust, which, with a suitable pedestal, can be procured for a sum not to exceed $500. This sum can certainly be raised in an association of this size ; and your committee would urge upon all members of the A. L. A. that in thus paying respect to the memory of a distinguished representative we are honoring the profession to which we are proud to belong. F. M. CRUNDEN, Chairman. J. N. WING. G. E. WIRE. The report was adopted. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ATLANTA EXPOSITION. Your committee appointed to consider the communication from Agnes Wallace and others concerning the action of this body in regard to the Atlanta Cotton Exposition, submit the following : 1. It is advisable that the secretary respond to the letters received, accepting the invitation for individual members to attend and take part in proceedings of the library congress to be held during the Exposition. 2. It is further advised that the committee in charge of the library exhibit be informed that the A. L- A. no longer has possession of the model library exhibited at Chicago, the same having been given into the charge of the United States Bureau of Education, to whom application should be made. MARY EILEEN AHERN. KATHARINE L. SHARP. EDWIN H. ANDERSON. Report adopted. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS. Resolved, That the thanks of the American Library Association are due and hereby ten- dered to the Denver Chamber of Commerce, to the Colorado Library Association, to the resi- dent members of the A. L- A., and to the Chamber of Commerce and Reception Com- mittee of Colorado Springs, for the cordial hospitality they have extended to this Associa- tion and for the enjoyable entertainment they have provided for visiting delegates. Adopted. Pres. UTLEY announced as the particular topic for discussion at this session, having ref- erence more especially to local circumstances in and for Colorado, SYSTEMS OF CONTROL, SUPPORT, AND ADMIN- ISTRATION OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES. Remarks were made by Louis R. Ehrich, of Colorado Springs, welcoming the Association and touching upon the local library situation and needs. Also, by Rev. Dr. James B. Gregg, and Wal- ter C. Frost, in the same connection. Following those speakers, several members of the Association from various localities each spoke briefly, giving personal experiences or pertinent ideas by way of suggestion to those of Colorado present and interested in the sub- ject ; viz. : H: M. Utley, H. L,. Elmendorf, Miss C. M. Hewins, W: T. Eastman, Henry J. Carr, T: T. Woodruff, C: Alex. Nelson, and J. N. Wing. Short responses were made by Rev. Philip Washburn, L: R. Ehrich, and W. A. Platt, of Colorado Springs. (The several speakers at this session were not reported verbatim, but Acting Sec'y Nelson has given an abstract of the essential part of their remarks in the Library Journal, 20:317- 319, for September, 1895.) Sec'y Nelson read a letter from MELVIL DEWEY, transmitting the REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CO-OPERATION, and expressing regrets relative to his enforced absence from this Conference ; also referring to the political investigations under way at Albany. The committee report was read by title and accepted for printing in the Proceedings. (Seep. 58.} Further consideration of items in the QUESTION BOX, postponed from a previous session, was omitted. On motion of W: R. Eastman, unanimous thanks were voted to H. L- J- WARREN for his self-denying and untiring efforts in behalf of those members participating in the post-con- ference excursion and the session at Colorado Springs. Meetings of Sections, Publishing, College Library, New York, etc., were called to take place after adjournment. (No reports of their transactions have come to the hands of the Recorder, and it is presumed that they were held informally, with the pur- pose of continuing the respective officers and committees of each for another year.) Conference adjourned at 12.20 NOON. DENVER CONFERENCE. SOCIAL AND TRAVEL FEATURES OF THE CONFERENCE. BY MARY EMOGENE HAZELTINE. I. PRE-CONFERENCE. A year, almost, had slipped away since we said good-bye one to another among the hills of New York, a year of serious work, seeming often long and tedious ; yet so kind is time, that we thought it but a day when the re-union came, and good-bye, God-speed ! became all hail! It is true that "the deeper part of one's na- ture will often go to sleep, and then the surface can enjoy itself." Who shall say what we did with our deeper natures, whether they were packed in our grips, or trunks, or whether they were left in our desks, ready to be for- warded for the business of the Conference ? Surely they had gone to sleep for a time, as we journeyed from all directions to join forces at Chicago, August nth. And be it known that whatever our time, or train, or number, a cor- dial reception awaited us at the station there. The eastern party came iu the Pullman, Sirius, which accounted for the dog-star weather in Baltimore and Washington. They had many tales to relate of their trip, of the rolling coun- try and pleasing views that the many-curved Baltimore and Ohio afforded, and the "back porch" was somewhat the worse for scenery, or rather scenery-loving people. The time, after all had assembled, was quite too short in which to view the attractive libra- ries of the city, for in our behalf, the zealous reception committee had overcome Sunday bolts and bars, giving us access to the new Chicago Public Library, still in the hands of the builder, yet affording suggestions of its future ; to the Newberry and its riches ; and to Armour Institute with its energetic manage- ment. It was a quiet, peaceful day, a true Sunday, for it is "Christ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." In the early evening the pilgrims gathered at the Union station, and the Tower of Babel was begun anew, with blocks of tickets, berth checks, baggage and more greetings, as new members appeared. Many of us were travel- ing as pharmacists, and our endeavors to ap- pear wise in this disguise may have added to the confusion. At last all was seemingly arranged, and we filed through the great iron gate, only to en- counter more difficulties, adding more blocks to our tower the while. It was the same Sirius that caused this last confusion, for had it not been sent to the repair shops, all on account of its rear platform ? And its successor, the Him- alaya, looked freezingly upon Sirius checks. It was amusing to note the self-satisfied air of the Chicago party when they discovered that their quarters were in Parnassus. When the train pulled out of Chicago at 10.30 o'clock, all were ready for the quiet and rest of the night, the forerunner of an anticipated ride across the plains. The events of Monday began with the cross- ing of the Mississippi, sight of which was missed by some, owing to the early hour. All day we journeyed through Iowa and Nebraska, learning to know in very truth what "waving corn" means. A year of plenty had come to the land, and we were never tired of gazing at the hundreds of acres of green. The flowers, along the way delighted us, our inward eye seeing in those fields now a forest swept with breezes, now the sea with its waves breaking under our windows, helping us bear the heat of the day, and now the goodly harvest of the farmer, with whom we rejoiced for the garden of the desert was in its prime, gay with sun- flowers, poppies and asters. Nor was the visiting neglected, nor the din- ing car, despite all these outward attractions. This was a gala day, and it was improved to the full. The Missouri was crossed in the after- noon, bringing us tidings from the mountains whither we journeyed. At Omaha and Lincoln came more reunions, and a hearty welcome from the yet far distant city ; a welcome that labeled us all in silver, "A. L,. A., Denver, 1895." And then across the prairie what radi- ant pictures we beheld, as the sun went down in crimson and gold ! As we journeyed into the night we made the way merry with music, SOCIAL AND TRAVEL FEATURES. by the aid of Oliver Ditson and his book, and the ringing voice of our host. Tuesday morning brought a glorious dawn, with the mountains in haze upon the plains, telling us that we were nearing our journey's end, and the customary hurry and bustle at- tended our arrival. No more playing on the way to school, it was time to produce the seri- ous side of our natures, for were we not warned that school would begin in an hour ? II. CONFERENCE. School kept at Denver during four days, but there is a recess even in those most strictly managed, and there were many delightful "between times" at Denver. After the long, hot journey, it was most re- freshing to find a flowery welcome in our rooms, for " Here are sweet peas, on tiptoe for a flight, With wings of gentle flush o'er delicate white, And taper fingers catching at all things, To bind them all about with tiny rings." And these flowers proved worthy messengers of the Colorado I/ibrary Association, that bound us all about with a royal good time. On the first evening an "acquaintance meet" in the ladies' ordinary of the Windsor was thoroughly enthusiastic, with its bright sal- lies, good stories and anecdotes ; and, though semi-official, deserves mention among the doings of our gayer selves, for it made us one and all acquainted a jolly band of com- rades we, quite ready for the Adventure in the Far West which next befell us. If it took a ' ' whole book " by C. L- A. , author of Good Intentions, to summon us to this adventure, surely it needs a book to tell of it ; to tell how the High School building by some magic be- came a reception hall, where we were most cordially received by the good people of Den- ver ; and of the gay scene, where music and flowers, milk and honey, talk and laughter mingled. On Thursday came a good whole holiday with the " Loop-trip " for some, and a "Jog to the smelters ' ' for others. We will listen to a tale of the I/x>p, by one who went.* Loop- Trip. We had not been in Denver very long before it began to be whispered about that certain * Minnie M.Oakley. members of the A. I/. A. were going to run off for a day and take the trip over the "Loop." The whisper became a more distinct utterance, and finally it was announced that the regular sessions for Thursday would be postponed, that all might take the loop-trip if they desired without having any unattended sessions on their consciences. Consequently at 8.30 o'clock on the morning appointed, most of the party were to be seen comfortably seated in an obser- vation car ready for the short journey into "the heart of the Rockies" over the famous loop. The short ride of fourteen miles from Denver to Golden, with the foot-hills ever drawing nearer, only increased the thrill of expectancy all felt, who had never before been in a moun- tain canon. The goggle boy diverted our attention for a few brief moments, as he passed through the train and made us all believe that our eyes would seriously suffer from the ever present cinder if we did not provide ourselves with the ugly blue things he had for sale ; so we pur- chased his wares, adjusted them with the feel- ing that if we did look like a new species of human being, we were at least doing the proper thing, and prepared for the worst or best. Golden stands at the entrance of Clear Creek Canon, and is a pretty little town containing the State School of Mines, which we could see distinctly from the train. It seemed impossible to believe that we were already over 400 feet higher than we were at Denver, but the guide- book said so, and we believed it. We took the attitude toward the guide-book that Mark Twain did toward the man who told him some wonderful tale. He said afterwards, when re- peating the story, "Of course I believe it, for did I not see the man who told me ?" The railroad follows the course of Clear Creek for about sixty miles, through weird mountain scenery, first on one side of the river, then on the other; through narrow gorges, rocky passes, by little towns shut in by the moun- tains, under ledges of rock and over bridges, until finally after crossing and recrossing itself many times, each time rising higher and higher, one was enabled at the highest point, just above Georgetown, to look backward and downward and see six distinct lines of track crossing each other at different altitudes, with the pretty little city of Georgetown nestling far below them all. The loop is indeed " a railway on a bender, the apotheosis of gyration, the supreme luxury of entanglement," and makes one feel that there is a great deal of human ingenuity in the world, and that railroad engineering skill is something to be mightily respected. After arriving at Silver Plume the party sep- arated into little groups for lunch ; some going to the hotel, and others taking their baskets and climbing the mountain side for a short distance to an inviting ledge where the cold 94 DENVER CONFERENCE. chicken, sandwiches, pickles, pie, et cetera, could be invitingly displayed. The mountain air, so cool and invigorating, proved a wonder- ful appetizer, and it was not long before even the pie had disappeared and those who wished to explore "green fields and pastures new," wandered up the mountain side to a mine, where some of the most venturesome displayed courage by going several hundred feet into it. The sensation experienced when one gets fairly into a mine witli the guides ahead carry- ing lighted candles, making the darkness more gruesome, is only equaled by getting out and being told that ' ' You nearly stepped into a shaft 85 feet deep, but you turned just in time. ' ' Before leaving Silver Plume our eyes were gladdened by the sight of sturdy mountain children carrying bunches of the Colorado state flower, the lavender and white columbine, which found a ready sale among the librarians. While waiting for the train we were highly entertained by two of the most dignified and jolly members of the party who captured a couple of burros, and started for a short ride. With the peculiar contrariness for which the little beasts are noted, they refused to take the same gait or respond to the pulls of the bridle, or to endearing epithets, but were finally in- duced to halt within a short distance of each other long enough to have their pictures taken. The kindly greeting given to strangers by the mountain dwellers was noticeable several times during the day. Groups of children near the track waved and shouted and waved until their little arms and voices must have been somewhat weary, and the librarians responded heartily by waving their handkerchiefs as long as the children were in sight. The home trip was made in good time, for it was considerably like sliding down hill. Six o'clock found the library wanderers again in Denver wending their way to the hotel, satis- fied with the day, congratulating themselves upon the new friends made, and the wonderful scenery enjoyed, laughing over the recollec- tion of the numerous funny times, and pro- foundly sorry for those who had remained behind to visit the smelters. A people who can entertain several Associa- tions in one season even two at a time, with no more evidence of confusion than the re- mark that " The women are all librarians, and the men all druggists " must certainly possess attractions, and furnish " funny times." Those who stayed away from the mountains found much pleasure and amusement in the life of the hospitable city. Part of an hour was delightfully spent en- joying a veritable bird's-eye view from the top of the Equitable Building it would be more fitting to say palace, so magnificent is the structure to which the librarians held the key, for the Hon. Henry Wolcott had kindly pre- sented A. Li. A. members with passes to its roof. There were the parks to visit, where irriga- tion and the skill of the landscape gardener have converted the desert of a few years ago into a bower of loveliness. Here one little woman, not from the West, spied a plot where the plants were arranged to read, "Welcome N. E. A.," which she readily translated "Wel- come, New England what does the A stand for?" The curio shops with their wealth of moun- tain treasures, lured many on to spend time and money. Very beautiful were the piles of gems that had in some way caught the varied tints of the land ; especially fascinating were the agates, onyx and all the minerals that gave the spirit of the mountains ; the quaint pot- tery and dainty needlework that bespoke an- other race, and trinkets worked from silver and gold, mined hard by, were not passed without due admiration. Selections were made from these until trunk space failed and lunch- eon time had come and almost gone. To the smelters in the afternoon a special train bore a goodly company, and very inter- esting it was to follow a carload of seemingly plain, every-day earth and rock through the many processes of pounding and grinding to powder ; of sampling, testing, sifting, resifting and smelting until a stream of molten slag, that suggested the lake of fire and brimstone, flowed at our feet, while another hastened away for chemical precipitation, which final process revealed at last the pure silver, ready for the mould. As we looked upon the unattractive ore, borne into the hot, noisy smelters, which seemed like a city of chimneys and smoke, we wondered if any good thing could come out of these, and behold the shining silver blocks, worthy a place in the pavement of the City Beautiful. Friday, our last day in Denver, was one long to be remembered, for in the afternoon came the electric car ride, to which we were bidden by the Chamber of Commerce. It was a per- fect day, and we rode for miles through city streets, and out onto the plains, gaining a mag- nificent view of the mountains, grim, austere, majestic, yet softened by a distance that we could not realize. With this environment of SOCIAL AND TRAVEL FEATURES. mountains and beautiful plain, where there is " Room! room to turn round in, to breathe and be free/- with homes and offices and palaces of stone, with parks and long vistas of pleasant streets, terminating apparently in the mountains; with all these and much more, Denver is one of the beautiful cities of the world, and has some as- pects of situation in which no city can surpass it, making it almost worthy to be called, as Jerusalem was of old, "the joy of the whole earth." The evening brought us to our annual din- ner, a feast fit for a king, with bullion (in cups) and silver punch. As ever, there were ready speeches that delighted all ; especially do we recall the many local hits of the Hon. Platt Rogers, who honored our board that evening. An hour of song followed in the parlors, and then we departed to pack our trunks, ready for an early start in the morning. Four days in Denver sufficed only to give us a great longing to spend many days there ; but other scenes beckoned, and time pressed, so we bade farewell to our hosts, trying, but in vain, to find words in which to express our appreciation of their royal hospitality. III. POST-CONFERENCE. It began Saturday morning, August iyth, nominally at 8.30 o'clock, but really an hour later (due to the "wonderful air" and the brakes) when the train, longer by an extra car to accommodate our party of thirty, pulled out on the Denver, Leadville and Gunnison Railroad (South Park Line). We had not an observation car, but the first sight of the South Platte, dancing and leaping over its rocky bed, proved that platforms served as well, and not only back-platforms, of which there are never enough to go around, but also midway ones. One of the party, whose courage in wearing those becoming goggles was the envy of us all, was here, there, and everywhere ; now on the back platform, now all between, and now dis- appearing for a time, when rumor hath it that even the engine became his vantage ground. He was guide and enthusiast in one, and when on the great heights, spirits lagged or sight grew dim, fresh courage and inspiration were gained from his enjoyment of it all. After numerous stops at the small summer resorts, we passed behind the foothills, into the canon of the Platte, where every stage of our progress brought a new scene. There were narrow defiles, where rushing river and speed- ing train contended for the right of way ; there were broader views, where distant mountains were revealed, and mountain temples fashioned with domes and spires, and castles in Spain for all of us. Leaving the canon, we rose steadily to the great plateau, the little narrow-gauge engine bravely overcoming one mountain after an- other, and expecting us to as bravely overcome the constant shower of cinders. Along this tortuous way, cut at a heavy grade, we mounted Kenosha Hill, into a smart hail and rain storm, giving the touch of gray and effect of mountain storm that we had wished for. From the top of Kenosha we descended rapidly, every curve calling forth expressions of wonder and de- light, until in a burst of sunshine, the clouds all gone, South Park came suddenly into view, and our tribute was silence "like the hush before the prayer." Dinner at Como, in the Park, was most wel- come, for in very truth we were hungry ; the dinner was good, with blue mosquito netting for coloring, and pickles for relishes. As we left the Park, the placer mining along the gulch diverted us for a time, and then the gal- lant little engine dragged us around and over a mountain, and around and over another and another, until we knew not which way to look, so extensive was the view as we approached the very crest of the continent ; and while the train paused on the crest, from the region of the clouds we gained a view of the valley, pro- tected by mountains piled on mountains, " Bathed in the tenderest purple of distance, Tinted and shadowed by pencils of air." Quick time was made on the down grade from Breckenridge to Dickey, where we had twenty minutes while the train went to Dillon and back. It was a relief after the panorama of mountains with all their majesty of outline and beauty of coloring, to come so near to the flowers that we could pluck and carry them away, resplendent with the vivid Colorado colors. Who shall attempt to tell of the ride to Lead- ville around the mountain sides, as the west grew crimson with retiring day ? Who shall attempt to tell of that valley of green with its 9 6 DENVER CONFERENCE. thread of silver, the peaceful source of the mighty Arkansas? Into Leadville we ran at dusk, with an hour for rest and dinner at the Vendome, and time for transfer to the Denver and Rio Grande, where a special car was in waiting. The song- book was produced as we pulled out of Lead- ville ; the singers gathered in the middle of the car, and made melody unto themselves, and further beguiled the way with stories and rid- dles and naps. Glenwood Springs was reached at 11:30 o'clock, and by Sunday all was quiet and serene. That Sunday amid the mountains towering high above us, and around us, rare red in the sunlight, darkening into shades of russet as the day waned ! The Hotel Colorado, a verita- ble palace in the wilderness, with fine meals and good service, even to the dignified head waiter whom we remembered as the autocrat of the Mirror Lake Hotel at Lake Placid ! The fountain in the court yard ; the arbor of wild cu- cumber, studded with morning glories that were glories indeed, large, velvety, and colored as only Colorado sunshine can color ; the tank of lotus blossoms, the bath houses, and the famous pool lying between the hotel and the river all this to compass in one day but we did our best. Some, after a drink of brine, reported for an early breakfast, then wandered over the rocks and cliffs, presumably in search of wild-cats. Others preferred a late breakfast, a walk about the town, and a rest on the shaded porch, "just drinking in the scene." And yet others, some- what more daring, ventured a ride over the old stage road, up the canon of the Grand. As we rode along the narrow way, with sheer moun- tain wall on one side, and precipitous river bank on the other, one of the party suggested what a capital illustration it would make for a Sunday school book should an accident happen. What a text for a sermon the everlasting hills afforded ! We could read them more carefully than from a car window, and could know more certainly the history of that canon, the titanic struggle between the river and the mountain. In fancy, we peopled that lonely gorge with a mighty race, traced their castles with draw- bridges, and forts guarded by stately sentinels of pine. On the return, the view up the open- ing of the caiion called forth again the tribute of silence. In the afternoon many of us fell prey to the famous pool, and yet others in the evening. At night, the fountain proved to be an electric one. A brilliant stream rose to a height far above the tiled roof of the hotel, while a search light in one of the towers added to the effect, and music from a distance made it seem like fairy-land. Monday morning found us exploring the town, making the most of the time a late train afforded, for we were loath to leave Glenwood and the pool. On boarding the train, we found two of the librarians who had journeyed to Utah ; and when we heard their enthusiastic accounts of the country, we knew why the train was late ! The journey of that day is another one to be remembered. Some of the librarians had ex- pressed fears about the scenery, that it would not hold out, but their fears were groundless ; for, as the train whirled up the caiion of the Grand, around curves and rocky bluffs, through tunnels black and smoky, that made the view all the more magnificent by reason of contrast, the fear was not would the scenery hold out but would we ? At noon we climbed Tennessee Pass to Lead- ville, where we had a twenty minute lunch ; then we left the high altitudes for the canon of the Arkansas, with its memories of the Overland Trail. Down we rushed, sometimes through peaceful valleys and past thriving little towns, and then for miles under frowning battlemented cliffs, mottled with dwarf pines. Often a dull green rock framed itself against a red cliff, like a cameo cut by a Titan hand. Oh ! what has color meant to us since those days ! Earth and sand and rock pink, rose-red, deep-red, some- times mingled with grays, a line of brilliant green along the river banks and over all the wonderful blue of the Colorado sky. Surely this state does not belie its name Colorado, the red land. At Salida, a delegate sent from the Colorado Springs party waited to greet us, and urge us to hasten, for they were lonely without the other half. From Salida, the caiion grew nar- rower and narrower, and we were glad of the surging, rushing river that followed us ; for there was a spirit of loneliness in this lower SOCIAL AND TRAVEL FEATURES. 97 gorge, that the little mining cabins, scattered here and there, only served to increase. If Carlyle had been plunged in these regions at at the time of the Everlasting Yea, he would indeed have found Nature to be the ' ' living Garment of God' ' but there would have been no village fires, no smoke from the valley to tell him of the "Brotherhood of man." No tongue or pen can describe the RoyalGorge, the grand finale of the day, with its famous hanging bridge, representing the triumph of mind over matter ; and while we were yet lost in admiration and awe, storing our memory with the majestic vision, we ran out into the green and fertile plain, where the fruits of the land appeared. Our last meal on the twenty minute schedule, at Pueblo, was the worst on the trip ; and only "Colorado Curry" as served by "Trilby" pulled us through. Then, for two hours, we journeyed into the evening, to Colorado Springs, where we were gleefully hailed by the party that stayed by the goods, while we explored the mountains ; and by a good librarian, a member of the ever attentive Colorado Library Asso- ciation, who made quick work in parcelling us out to hospitable boarding houses. So ended that day's journey from the mountains to the plain. The next morning, early, the rest of the Utah party reported, and confirmed the ad- ventures of those who first escaped from the beguiling regions, with a tale somewhat as follows : * Glimpses of Salt Lake City. When we announced our determination to pay a visit to the city of the Latter Day Saints, much and varied was the advice given us by kind friends. One said that the weather was too hot ; another that the journey was too tiresome ; and a third that there was absolutely nothing to see between the state line of Colo- rado and Salt Lake City. But in spite of all these discouraging utterances we remained firm in our resolve to make the trip, and here is an endeavor to show how we were compen- sated. Leaving Denver on Friday, August i6th, by way of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, we set out on our journey of 716 miles. Any words descriptive of the beauties of the Royal Gorge and Tennessee Pass would be entirely inadequate, particularly as our supply of ad- jectives had been exhausted long before. Suffice it to say that we were deeply delighted and im- * Beatrice Winser. 13 pressed by all that we saw and would warmly recommend other tourists to make the same trip, although the last stage over the arid alkali plains was exceedingly hot and dusty. At noon, on Saturday, we arrived at Salt Lake City, and after registering at the Templeton, promptly took the train for Saltair Beach, a new and popular resort on Great Salt Lake. The Pavilion, erected by Mormon capital, is Moorish in style and quite imposing. Votaries of Terpsichore may here trip the light fantastic to their heart's content on the largest dancing floor in the world. We never saw so many bathing houses in one place as are here at the margin of the lake. It is altogether the proper thing to come at sunset and take ' 'a dip in the briny" salt is no name for it. After feasting our eyes upon the vari-colored waters of the translucent lake, its mountainous wood-clad islands, and one of the most glorious sunsets imaginable, we went back to our hotel very tired, but ready for whatever the next day might bring. While at breakfast on Sunday morning we were joined by two members of the A. L- A., who, lika ourselves, had been energetic enough to make the trip. It was a little amusing to learn that they had kindly hunted for us before breakfast at various hotels, not having noticed our names directly above their own on the register of the Templeton. As this hotel faces Temple Square, we were in the midst of the Mormon institutions. Brigham Young builded better than he knew when he laid out the city on so magnificent a scale. Think of grand avenues 132 feet wide and straight as an arrow, with the squares between the intersecting streets each ten acres in extent ! The houses are all detached, surrounded by pleasant gar- dens, and streams of mountain water flow along the streets, keeping the vegetation fresh and green. We were told that in former years if one were thirsty it was necessary only to stoop and drink ; but since the advent of the Gentile the water has lost its pristine purity and is now only fit for irrigating purposes. On Temple Square stands the great white granite Temple to which no Gentile can be admitted, and behind it are the huge Taberna- cle and spacious Assembly Hall. Not far away are the famous Beehive where Brigham Young lived and died ; the Lion Houses and the Amelia Palace, the tithing-house where every good Mormon still brings a tenth of his in- come, which is devoted to the church ; and the church office, where all affairs of State are settled. As we were passing this house, a kindly faced old man invited a party of tourists, who bore the indelible stamp of Cook, to come in ; and we, nothing loath, followed after. Although somewhat disgusted at the ill-bred questions asked by these people, we were, as one of our party put it, "accessories after the fact," and very willingly stayed and listened to the an- swers, until it was time for services at the Tab- ernacle. 9 8 DENVER CONFERENCE. At three o'clock the gates of the massive wall surrounding the square were unlocked, and saints and sinners alike were admitted to the sacred precincts. It took the Mormons forty years to build the Temple, which cost them nearly $6,000,000. But in spite of their fond belief that in beauty it favorably compares with St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, we were disappointed in the exterior view. We were told, however, that if we could only see the beauty of its interior its rooms lined with onyx and studded with precious stones we would be satisfied. Alas ! our conversion to the Mormon faith was the only key which would unlock the magic gate, and that was too great a price to pay. The Tabernacle is a most extraordinary building, resembling a gigantic turtle, and its acoustic properties are wonderful. We had the pleasure of hearing Brigham Young, Jr., make an address, such as one might hear in any Christian church, as no doctrinal points were discussed. A missionary, just returned from England, did not give a very glowing account of converts flocking to the Mormon standard. He asserted, however, that "persecution under favorable circumstances" was good for the church. But his report was so distinctly dis- couraging that if we had been among the twelve apostles, or even one of the four and twenty elders, seated about him on the plat- form, we should have been attempted to pull him by the coat tail and ask him to refrain from further exposing the weakness of the cause to the sinners or Gentiles there assem- bled. The music, rendered by a choir of 300 well- trained voices, was very fine, but the organist was not equal to the organ, which is said to be one of the best in this country. In front of us sat a man with his seven wives, one uglier than the other, so we had a good opportunity to see Mormon domestic life at close range. A prominent Gentile told us that, barring the two great evils, polygamy and exalting the church before the state, the other Christian denominations might well follow the Mormon example of putting their religious principles into practice in all their business relations. Although greatly pleased with our trip, we were all glad to turn our faces toward beautiful Colorado. Taking the narrow gauge, Denver and Rio Grande, through the sublime Black Canon of the Gunnison, over the wonderfully beautiful Marshall Pass, we reached Colorado Springs at four o'clock Tuesday morning, ready to aid in carrying out any plans that the Colo- rado division had arranged. Tuesday morning at 8.00 o'clock came the trolley ride to Manitou, for the ascent of Pike's Peak. Our reunited company numbered 57. We might record the delights of that early morning ride, with the dew still on the sage, giving us its pungent odor; with the sights along the pleasant streets, with the mountains radiant in the sunlight, and the Peak ever be- fore us ; " Fronting heaven's splendor, Strong and full and clear." We might enter into a detailed account of the mechanism of the cog-road but of the ascent of the Peak, of the sunlit glimpses of rocks and stream, of flowers and trees, of the vistas of the world below, of the ever ap- proaching nearness to the infinite blue of heaven we may not speak and on the summit " We stand In breathless awe beneath its dome of sky, Whose multiplied horizons seem to lie Beyond the bounds of earthly sea and land." The round trip was made in ease and comfort, without accident, and those that experienced difficulty because of the altitude, were few. After a good luncheon at the Iron Springs Hotel, Manitou, a long procession of carriages appeared and bore some away for an after- noon's drive, while others elected to walk. The drive included Williams' Cafion, where all were a little fearful when the turn was made ; the famous Garden of the Gods, which the camera artist of the party has reproduced for us, its portals, its strange forms and weird shapes all but its magnificent color ; Glen Eyrie, a wild and romantic retreat, with its wealth of shrubbery and vines, and confusion of pillars of exquisitely tinted pink sandstone, the only thing needful to make it the seat of the Garden of Eden, being the four rivers. Finally, the splendid drive along the Mesa at sunset, afforded a panorama of the whole. Some were not too tired to spend this and other evenings at the Broadmoor Casino, where music and gayety reigned, or at the El Paso Club, where the brothers only were bidden, and not the sisters. Wednesday afternoon we divided forces and formed various small companies for Cheyenne Mountain and its canons, Monument Park, Manitou and the Springs. The party for South Cheyenne Cafion was distinctively a burro party. To be sure there was scenery all along from the entrance to the foot of the falls, but there were also burros to be managed, and the riders were inexperienced. The funny little beasts kept better pace than usual, for one member walked, being informed that he didn't need a donkey, and improved his time and SOCIAL AND TRAVEL FEATURES. 99 umbrella in urging them on. In sooth, it was a picturesque band, as gay a company as the Canterbury pilgrims, and as good ; for duti- fully they made their pilgrimage of the 275 steps, bestowed due admiration on the seven falls, lingered for a time in the canon, all the while doing penance because no words were left them in which to express their thoughts and feelings and returned to the haunts of man. All but four, who had yet another shrine to visit the point beloved by Helen Hunt, and where for a time she rested. The glorious vision from Inspiration point, with its four- way view, was ample reward for the toil of the way ; the sun had set on the highest mountain peaks, and shadows lay deep in the gorge, but far out on the plains the brightness and warmth of day still lasted. Thursday morning brought more drives and more canon parties, and in the afternoon the Third Annual Flower Festival, with its music and soldiery, stage coaches and cow-boys, and floats floats floats, was a pleasing change, a touch of art and life. Now came the beginning of the end, the time for home-goings ; for some did not re- main to view the parade, some left on a ' ' spe- cial," while the music still sounded, and some departed in the evening. The train from Den- ver that night bore eastward a company of thirteen, leaving all good-luck for the excur- sion party to Cripple Creek. Cripple Creek Trip* After having witnessed the beautiful flower carnival at Colorado Springs, and bidden good- bye to many of our good A. I,. A. friends, those of us who were left behind started on the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad at 8:30 o'clock on the morning of August 23d, to view the most famous gold mining district in the United States at the present time. We were not so few in number after all, for we found there were enough to justify the com- pany in letting us have a coach to ourselves. We soon left Colorado Springs and Manitou behind us and thought we were leaving Pike's Peak also ; but the hoary old head persisted in keeping us in view, or rather letting us keep him in view in a coy sort of way, appearing and then disappearing until we were many miles up the Ute Pass and beyond. We were fortunate in having for guide, escort, and counsellor, Mr. H. L,. J. Warren of the * Minnie M. Oakley. Denver City Library, who seemed to know every place for miles around. With unfailing courtesy and patience he answered questions and explained local peculiarities, and pointed out places of interest until we all wondered how "one small head could carry all he knew ;" but we remembered that he was a librarian then we understood. Mr. Warren kindly told us the names of the different mountain ranges of which we were to catch glimpses before the day was over, and we were learning Colorado geography very pleasantly we thought, when he suddenly asked us to spell the name of one range of mountains which was pronounced Si-watch. We all had to give it up when we found it was spelled S-a-g-u-a-c-h-e. Sangre de Christo, the name of another range, was easy after that. We passed a number of small mountain towns, one of which was Gassy, the highest incor- porated city in the United States. They all looked so new, so unpainted, so suggestive of pioneer days and the "49ers." It seemed as if we were not really there in the flesh, but had in some magical way been dropped into the middle of- one of Mary Hallock Foote's or Bret Harte's stories ; whether the scene was Cali- fornian or Coloradian, we cared not. Poverty Flat might have been just around a curve, and M'liss might have appeared any where, without surprising us. At one place we saw passengers crowding into stage coaches to go off in another direc- tion to Cripple Creek, and it was much more like the old stories and pictures than Buffalo Bill's stage coach performance at the World's Fair. We were all pleased to catch that pic- ture of the real mountain stage coach and were glad to feel that the passengers in these days need not fear the Indian war cry. Arriving at Victor, our car was side-tracked, and we prepared to follow our leader and see the town and the mines. We first visited the principal hotel where we found many of the modern luxuries. In the large office was a grate, a mammoth affair before which, in various attitudes, sat a group of men speculators, miners, and prospectors! One man, particu- larly, attracted our attention as he sat with his eyes fixed on the blazing fire. The passing of so many people did not seem to rouse him from his reverie, and we wondered if he had "struck it rich" and was planning what to do with his wealth ; had he failed to strike anything and was "down on his luck ;" or, worse still, had he lost his all in the adjoining room toward which at that moment we were going, in the wake of our worthy president ? Yes, we went into the gambling room, where they told us the games had been going on con- stantly every hour of the twenty-four for six months. The professionals were there ready to play with their victims, the miners who seemed so willing to be caught. After a few moments of close attention, it was explained to us that the man we were watching had won IOO DENVER CONFERENCE. fifty dollars, and we departed at once before he had a chance to lose it. The streets of the town were full of men, in fact only two women were visible in a walk of three blocks. The reporter of the Victor Mining Record explained that "there hadn't been so many women in town before, since the 4th of July;" so the coming of the librarians was quite an event. The men were rather better looking than we had expected. They were evidently, many of them, men of some culture, who looked as if they had recently left good homes behind them. There were, of course, rough looking individuals, the type one ex- pects to see in a new mining town ; but on the whole the men compared favorably with the crowds on the Denver streets. We were given an opportunity to go through the public sampling office, where we saw the process of treating the rough ore, and learned how they estimate the value of the vein by the sample of ore brought from it. The different processes were explained to us very clearly, and we were given samples of the little cupels, or cups, in which the gold is finally sep- arated from all other minerals, and in the heat of the furnace forms itself into a little bead or button which gladdens the eyes of the owner. We then went to the shaft-house of the Inde pendence Mine and saw the ponderous machin- ery so easily managed by a lever that it only requires one man to run it. The "one man" looked very much like "monarch of all he sur- veyed" seated in an arm chair on a raised platform ; but woe be to him if the signals are not properly answered. There were too many of us to descend into the mine, and most of us were glad not to go when we saw the extremely sudden way in which the cage dropped with its load of human freight. The men work in shifts of eight hours, and fortunately, while we were there, the shift changed and we saw the men with muddy splashes on their pale faces, dressed from head to foot in yellow water-proof suits, come into the light of day while other large muscular fel- lows waved us a cheerful adieu and dropped out of sight 415 feet into the black depths below. The owner of the mine tries hard, it is said, to keep his income down to $120,000 a month. As we stood in the shaft house we were told that we were standing over property for which the owner had refused $3,000,000. But, after all, that did not impress us as did the wonderful view of mountains from the side of Battle Hill, on which we were standing. We had seen mountain scenery before, and had ex- hausted all our adjectives ; so we could only stand in silent enjoyment and gaze at the six ranges in view, one higher than another, until it seemed as if the last melted into the clouds. Some things must be felt as well as seen. Words cannot describe that view. It was fitting that after the magnificent scenery we had en- joyed for two weeks the last was best of all. Some lingered on Saturday to visit Ute Pass and Rainbow Falls, but as no report has come of this jaunt it is evident that words failed and the days of the Post-Conference, 1895, were ended. After a most delightful trip, in most delight- ful company, where learning and literature, logic and oratory, mirth and jollity, all were guests ; where most cordial hosts entertained in a palace that only nature could build, vault, and color ; we journeyed to our homes and our work, singing with Pippa, " God's in his heaven, All's right with the world." ATTENDANCE REGISTER. ABBREVIATIONS: F., Free; I.., Library; Ln. Librarian, P., Public; As., Assistant; R-R., Reading-room. * Prefixed indicates participation in the Colorado Springs trip, (51). t Prefixed indicates participation in the Colorado Springs and Glenwood trip, (31). c Prefixed indicates registration at Colorado Springs session only, (n). f Abell, Mrs. M. E., Ln. F. P. L>, Beatrice, Neb. * Ahern, Mary E , Ex-Ln., Indianapolis, Ind. * Allen, Letitia S., As. F. P. L., Pawtucket, R. I. f Anderson, Edwin H., Ln., CarnegieL., Pitts- burg, Pa. t Anderson, Mrs. Frances P. , Pittsburg, Pa. Baker, Charlotte A., As. P. L>, Denver, Col. Bates, Dr. Mary Barker, Chairman Library Committee P. L., Denver, Col. * Benedict Laura E. W., Cataloger Newberry L., Chicago, 111. f Bigelow, Frank B., Ln. N. Y. Society L-, New York City. * Bishop, Frances A., As. Ln. P. L., Kansas City, Mo. f Bradley, I: S., Ln. Wisconsin State Historical Society, Madison, Wis. t Brett, W: H., Ln. P. L-, Cleveland, O. ATTENDANCE REGISTER. 101 Bridge, Shirley, As. P. L-, Denver, Col. Browning, Eliza G., Ln. P. L-, Indianapolis, Ind. t Burtch, Almon, Library Dep't, A. C. Mc- Clurg & Co., Chicago, 111. Campbell, D. A., Ln. Nebraska State L-, Lin- coln, Neb. Campbell, Mrs. D. A., Lincoln, Neb. t Carr, Henry J., Ln. P. L-, Scranton, Pa. Chapman, J. W., Ln. McClelland P. L., Pueblo, Col. * Chase, Arthur H., Ln., New Hampshire State L., Concord, N. H. * Clark, G: T., Ln. F. P. L-, San Francisco, Cal. * Clark, Mrs. G: T., San Francisco, Cal. * Creighton, Mrs. Laura C., Ln. Iowa State L-, DesMoines, la. * Crunden, F: M., Ln. F. P. L-, St. Louis, Mo. * Crunden, F. P., St. Louis, Mo. f Curnow, Charlotte E. , As. City L. , Denver, Col. t Dana, J: C., Ln. P. L., Denver, Col. Dana, Mrs. J: C., Denver, Col. Davidson, Mrs. E. L-, Ln. Indiana State L., Indianapolis, Ind. * Day, Belden S., Bookseller, with Longmans, Green & Co., New York City. * Dennis, Carrie C., Ln. P. L., Lincoln, Neb. * Dexter, Lydia A., Cataloger Newberry L., Chicago, 111. Dickinson, Mrs. C: E., Denver, Col. * Douglas Ada B., Newark, N. J. * Dudley, C: R., Ln. City L., Denver, Col. * Eastman, W: R., Inspector P. L. Division Univ. of State of N. Y., Albany, N. Y. c Ehrich, Louis R., Pres. F. R-R. & L-, Colo- rado Springs, Col. c Eldridge, Mrs. C. A., Treas. F. R-R. & L-, Colorado Springs, Col. * Elmendorf, H. L-, Ln. F. P. L., St. Joseph.Mo. Fassig, Oliver L-, Ln. and Bibliographer, U. S. Weather Bureau, Washington, D. C. t Faxon, F: W., Manager Library Department, Boston Book Co., Boston, Mass. Fleming, W. K., Stenographer, Denver, Col. f Francis, Mary, Hartford, Conn. c Frost, Walter C., Colorado Springs, Col. f Garland, Caroline H., Ln.P. L-, Dover, N. H. Gove, Aaron, Supt. of Schools, Denver, Col. c Gregg, Rev. James B., Colorado Springs, Col. Guernsey, Zoe, As. P. L-, Denver, Col. t Harvey, Cecel C., Ln. Gail Borden P. L., El- gin, m. Hastings, L. A., Denver, Col. t Hazeltine, Mary Emogene, Ln. James Pren- dergast F. L M Jamestown, N. Y. t Herzog, Alfred C., Ln. F. P. L., Bayonne, N.J. * Hewins, Caroline M., Ln. P. L-, Hartford, Conn. t Heydrick, Josephine S., Ln. PequotL., South- port, Conn. c Hill, Francis B., Sec'y F. R-R. & L., Colo- rado Springs, Col. Hinrichsen, Miss S. T., Ln. Illinois State L., Springfield, 111. Hodgman, I. M., Professor, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb. Hodgman, Mrs. I. M., Lincoln, Neb. * Hull, Fanny, Ln. Union for Christian Work, Brooklyn, N. Y. * Imhoff, Ono, Univ. of Nebraska training class, Lincoln, Neb. c Ingersoll, Winifred, Canton, 111. * Jaquith, A. B., Woodstock, Vt. *Jaquith, Mrs. Olivia B., Ln. Norman Wil- liams P. L., Woodstock, Vt. * Jones, Ada Alice, Head Cataloger N. Y. State L., Albany, N. Y. * Jones, Mary L., As. L- Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb. Jones, Olive C., Ln. P. L., Plattsmouth, Neb. * Krug, Julia, As. F. P. L-, St. Louis, Mo. c Langley, Miss E. E., As. P. L., Denver, Col. Lee, G: M., As. P. L., Denver, Col. Leib, Mrs. Laura, Ln. Young Folks L-, La Junta, Col. * Lemcke, Ernst, Bookseller, of B. Westermann & Co., New York City. * Lemcke, Mrs. Ernst, New York City. Long, Hyla F., As. P. L-, Denver, Col. t Lounsbury, T: R., Professor Yale Univ., New Haven, Conn. McAlpine, Lucinda, Ln. F. L., Newton, Kan. * McCreary, Nellie, Cataloger F. P. L., St Louis, Mo. Mclntyre, Isabelle, As. City L., Denver, Col. McMurray, Hon. T. S., Mayor of the city, Den- ver, Col. McNeil, Mrs. J. L., Denver, Col. * Manning, Mrs. Mary D., Trustee P. L., Lin- coln, Neb. Megrue, Mrs. S. F., Ln. Ladies L. Assoc., Cafion City, Col. * Meleney, G: B., Manager Library Bureau, Chicago, 111. * Merrill, W: S., 2d As. Ln. Newberry L-, Chi- cago, 111. 162 CONFERENCE. Milner, Angle V., Ln. Illinois State Normal Univ. L., Normal, 111. * Moore, Kvva L-, Ln. Withers P. L-, Bloom- ington, 111. * Moore, Mrs. J. C., Evanston.Ill. t Nelson, C. Alex., Deputy Ln. Columbia Col- lege, New York City. f Oakley, Minnie M., As. Ln. Wisconsin State Historical Society, Madison, Wis. O'Brien, Margaret A., Chief As. P. L,., Omaha, Neb. * Officer, Helen F., Denver, Col. c Parlin, Clara E., Canton, 111. c Parlin, Mrs. William, Canton, 111. t Parsons, John, ist As. Ln. P. L-, Denver, Col. Parsons, Mrs. John, Denver, Col. f Patten, Frank C., Ln. P. I/., Helena, Mont. Patterson, Z. Richie, Supt. Binding Dep't., P. L., Chicago, 111. Pearce, Julia R., Ln. Kansas State Agricultural College, Manhattan, Kan. * Peavey, Mrs. A. J., State Supt. Pub. Instruc- tion, and Ln. Colorado State L., Denver, Col. Peoples, W: T., Ln. Mercantile L-, New York City. Perry, Mrs. H. T., Denver, Col. c Platt, W. A., Editor Gazette, Colorado Springs, Col. Randolph, Mrs. G: L., Denver, Col. t Rathbone, Josephine A., As. Pratt Insti- tute, Brooklyn, N. Y. * Resor, Mrs. J. H., Ln. Parlin I,., Canton, 111. f Rice, Mrs. David Hall, Brookline, Mass. * Richardson, Mary A., Ln. P. L-, New Lon- don, Conn. Richie, Herbert E-, As. City L., Denver, Col. t Robbins, Mary E., Cataloger Univ. of Ne- braska L-, Lincoln, Neb. Robins, Harry D., of the Press, Louisville, Ky. Rosewater, Victor, Director P. L., Omaha, Neb. * Sanders, Mrs. Minerva A., Ln. F. P. L-, Paw- tucket, R. I. Sayre, W: L-, Philadelphia, Pa. * Scott, Mrs. Lucy E. R., As. State Sup't., Dep't of Public Instruction, Denver, Col. Selby, Emily H., Springfield, 111. f Sharp, Katherine L-, Ln. Armour Inst., Chi- cago, 111. * Sheldon, Helen G., Ln. Tome Inst., Port De- posit, Md. Shrum, Mabel, La Junta, Col. t Simmons, Eva L-, As. P. L-, Denver, Col. Smith, Clara M., Ln. F. P. L-, Burlington, la. Smith, Florence S., As. Cataloger Univ. of Nebraska L-, Lincoln, Neb. Smith, Irene, As. P. L., Denver, Col. Smith, J:J., Committee P. L., Denver, Col. South worth, Celia May, Ln. Colorado State Ag- ricultural College, Fort Collins, Col. * Southworth, Myra F.,L n. P. L., Brockton, Mass. * Speck, Mrs. Laura, As. F. P. L., St. Louis, Mo. * Stechert, G. E., Bookseller, New York City. * Sutermeister, Louise M., Ln. P. L., Eau Claire, Wis. Tandy, Frank D., Cataloger P. L-, Denver, Col. * Utley, H: M., Ln. P. L-, Detroit, Mich. * Utley, Mrs. H: M., Detroit, Mich. t Van, Lila E., As. P. L., Denver, Col. f Van Valkenburgh, Agnas, Cataloger P. L., Milwaukee, Wis. Wade, Emily L, Cataloger F. P. L-, San Fran- cisco, Cal. * Warren, H. L. J., Reference Ln. City L-, Den- ver, Col. c Washburn, Rev. Philip, Colorado Springs, Col. t West, Theresa H., Ln. P. L-, Milwaukee, Wis. Westervelt, Walter T., of A. B. & W. T. Wes- tervelt, New York City. Westling, Jonas, Bookseller, of Kelly & West- ling, Denver, Col, Whitaker, Alfred E.- Ln. Colorado State Univ. L., Boulder, Col. Wick, Alice B., Reference Clerk P. L., Indian- apolis, Ind. Wilkin, Arthur M., Ln. M. E. Sunday School L., Fort Collins, Col. * Wing, J. N., Bookseller, with Charles Scrib- ner's Sons, New York City. * Winser, Beatrice, As. Ln. F. P. L-, Newark, N.J. Winsor, Thomas, Ln. F. P. L., Trinidad, Col. t Wire, Dr. G: E-, Sup't Medical Dep't, New- berry L., Chicago., 111. * Wixson, Helen M., As. Ln. Colorado State L., Denver, Col. * Woodruff, T: T., Trustee Young Folks L., La Junta, Col. ATTENDANCE REGISTER. 103 ATTENDANCE SUMMARIES. BY ASSISTANT RECORDER NINA E. BROWNE, LIBRARIAN OF LIBRARY BUREAU, BOSTON. BY POSITION AND SEX. Men. \\ Trustees and other officers... 5 Chief librarians 21 r omen. 3 31 28 I 24 87 Total. 8 52 39 I 4 8 36 148 i 147 7C Penn. N.J. Md. D.C. Ohio. Ind. 111. Mich. Wis. Iowa. Mo. Kan. Neb. Mont. Col. Sub-librarians and assistants n Bibliographers i Educators 3 Library Bureau, booksellers, etc 8 Others 12 61 Deduct those counted in two classes i 60 87 BY GEOGRAPHICAL SECTIONS. 8 of the 9 No. Atlantic States sent 2 9 So. Atlantic States 2 i 8 Gulf States I 7 8 Lake States 7Q 4 8 Mountain States , 67 i 8 Pacific States T. Total ,. 147 BY STATES. N. H 2 111 ... 18 Vt 2 Mich 2 Mass 3 Wis R. 1 2 Iowa 2 Conn 5 Mo 7 N. Y 14 Kan 2 Penn 4 Neb ,. 14 N.J 3 Mont .. . I Md i Col en D.C i Cal j Ky i .. 147 Ohio i Total Ind... 4 LIBRARIES REPRESENTED. N. H. State L., Concord. P. L., Dover. Vt. Norman Williams P. L., Woodstock. Mass. P. L., Brockton. R. I. P. L., Pawtucket. Conn. P. L., Hartford. P. L., New London. Pequot L. , Southport. N. Y. State L., Albany. Pratt Institute L., Brooklyn. Union for Christian Work, Brooklyn. James Prendergast F. L., Jamestown. Columbia College L., N. Y. City. Mercantile L., N. Y. City. N. Y. Society L., N. Y. City. Carnegie L., Pittsburg. P. L., Scranton. F. P. L., Bayonne. F. P. L., Newark. Tome Institute, Port Deposit. U. S. Weather Bureau, Washington. P. L., Cleveland. P. L., Indianapolis. State L. , Indianapolis. Withers P. L., Bloomington. P. L., Canton. Armour Institute, Chicago. Newberry L., Chicago. P. L., Chicago. Gail Borden P. L-, Elgin. State Normal University L. , Normal. State L. , Springfield. P. L., Detroit. P. L., Eau Claire. Wis. State Historical Society, Madison. P. L., Milwaukee. F. P. L., Burlington. State L., Des Moines. P. L., Kansas City. F. P. L., St. Joseph. F..P. L., St. Louis. State Agricultural College, L. , Manhat- tan. F. P. L., Newton. F. P. L., Beatrice. P. L., Lincoln. State L., Lincoln. University of Nebraska, Lincoln. P. L., Omaha. P. L., Plattsmouth. P. L., Helena. State University L., Boulder. Ladies' L. Assoc'n, Canon City. F. R-R. and L. , Colorado Springs. City L., Denver. P. L., Denver. State L. , Denver. Young Folks L., La Junta. M. E. Sunday School L., Fort Collins. State Agricultural College L. , Fort Col- lins. McClelland P. L. , Pueblo. F. P. L., Trinidad. F. P. L., San Francisco. Total number of libraries, 62 ; represented by 99 persons librarians, assistants or trustees. Cal. ;j . '' VHW&^'V v? v^3?<, k> m ^J^^^M^^^Jfe >* -OP' W*#S$&&? - - v.v.* N,- f ^'^fj\ ^A->^*>'5ak ^/??sffi% 5*SW.?W. tfi&fMpmf few ? fw fe? I *&&$$ ^^^ : ^\''^^.^ /^^ N;1 V* UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBAN*